When my phone’s screen isn’t large enough for the task at hand, I often reach for a tablet instead. However, unless you charge yours religiously every night, picking one up usually means finding a dead battery and a digital paperweight.

Over the years, I’ve tested many of the best tablets — from a compact, gaming-focused slate to a massive 14-inch one that felt more like a clipboard than something you could easily slide into a bag. Yet of all the devices I’ve used, only one ever solved the constant battery-drain dilemma.

With its magnetic charging dock, I really felt like Google's Pixel Tablet set a new standard that other companies would follow. Boy, was I wrong. Not only did Google recently discontinue the Pixel Tablet, but I've yet to see another manufacturer attempt a similar always-charged dock setup.

If you can’t keep a device permanently docked, the next best solution is a low-power, simplified approach that simply refuses to die. After testing out TCL's full-featured NXTPAPER tablets, I recently got my hands on the new TCL Note A1. Unlike those general-purpose slates, this one is built entirely around reading, writing, and taking notes with its included T-Pen Pro stylus.

After using the Note A1 for the past three weeks, it’s become the only tablet I reach for at my desk — and the one I slip into my backpack whenever I leave the house. If you’ve had your eyes on a productivity-focused slate from reMarkable, Boox, or even Amazon’s Kindle Scribe, here’s why the TCL Note A1 deserves a spot on your shortlist.

A display-first approach

The Note A1 that TCL sent over for me to check out arrived in a single box split in two. While the larger half held the tablet itself along with a stylus, some extra pen tips, and a charging cable, the smaller half held a magnetic flip cover.

Right from the start, I knew I was dealing with a very different type of tablet thanks to the quote printed on the inside of its box: “Knowledge grows by piling up facts, wisdom shines through simplicity.” I couldn’t sum up the design philosophy behind the Note A1 better myself.

At 10.24 x 7.74 x 0.22 inches, this 11.5-inch tablet gives you plenty of screen space to work with in an incredibly slim package. Meanwhile, at 500 grams or just over a pound, the Note A1 is designed to be easy to carry and take with you anywhere — because you never know when inspiration will strike.

Instead of going with thin bezels all the way around, the one on the left side of the device is a bit larger at roughly three-quarters of an inch wide, just like on the original Kindle Scribe. The larger size makes the device easier to hold in your left hand while you write, but that extra space is also used to house a home button with a built-in fingerprint scanner.

This is a bit different from the rest of TCL’s NXTPAPER tablets that lack a fingerprint scanner, but I found it to be a welcome addition — just like the one integrated into the power button on my NXTPAPER 70 Pro phone.

When you look around the sides of the Note A1, you won’t find much. There’s a power button on the top left, and then on the bottom right, there’s a USB-C port for charging. Given it wasn’t designed as a media consumption device like a lot of other tablets, there isn’t a physical volume rocker.

If you’re wondering why the USB-C port isn’t centered, I suspect this probably has to do with TCL’s optional keyboard case. When attached, you can plug a charging cable in cleanly on the bottom right without having it hanging awkwardly from the middle of the device. It’s a small but well-thought-out touch.

Around back, the Note A1 has small, circular magnets wrapped in soft-touch plastic on three of its corners along with a 13 MP rear camera and a trio of pogo pins for connecting the keyboard case. The tablet’s case is made from aerospace-grade aluminum, and in addition to letting you quickly snap on a cover, these round magnets prevent the back of the device from getting scratched.

TCL definitely went with a less-is-more approach with some parts of the Note A1, but the company didn’t skimp on its specs either. Powered by an older but very efficient MediaTek Helio G100 processor, the tablet ships with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

Despite being less than a quarter inch thick, the Note A1 still packs an 8,000 mAh battery with 33W fast charging. The display is the star of the show, though, and instead of an E-Ink screen, it’s equipped with an 11.5-inch NXTPAPER Pure display with a 3:2 aspect ratio and my personal favorite, matte anti-glare glass.

After adding my fingerprint and going through the rest of the setup process, it was time to see what the Note A1 was capable of.

Not your typical tablet

Instead of completely reinventing the wheel, TCL took many of the best aspects of its NXTPAPER tablets and incorporated them into the Note A1.

While you can’t switch between modes and instantly go from full color to black and white like with other NXTPAPER devices, you still get that matte, paper-like quality from the tablet, which makes reading ebooks and documents a very satisfying experience that’s also easy on the eyes.

The Note A1 isn’t entirely black and white, either. There are hints of color throughout its UI, and you can look at photos or watch YouTube videos like you would on any other tablet. Speaking of the display, it's flicker-free and buttery smooth thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate. You won’t see any of the typical lag you do on an E-Ink screen here.

Besides its lack of volume buttons, the one thing that made me instantly realize the Note A1 isn’t just your typical tablet occurred the instant I turned it on for the first time. Instead of going to your standard Android home screen, the device’s main page is actually for notes. You can view all of your existing notes and documents or create new ones with a tap on the plus icon.

The Note A1 is powered by Android, and once you dive into the settings menu, this is immediately apparent. However, the Android version wasn’t listed there, and tapping on the build number didn’t unlock developer options like it does on other Android devices.

It did take me a bit to get used to, but now that I’ve become accustomed to the Note A1’s Android skin, I actually wouldn’t mind seeing it on one of TCL’s next Android phones. At a time when people are installing custom launchers to fight doom-scrolling, the company did an excellent job of equipping this tablet with a distraction-free UI.

Just like with its other recent tablets and phones, you also get access to all of TCL’s AI tools for transcription, translation, and more, but you can turn them off if you want. One AI feature I particularly liked is Inspiration Circle. When you long-press the button on the T-Pen Pro stylus, you can then circle a note or file to add it to a dedicated Inspiration Space.

In practice, this works a lot like the Essential Key and Essential Space on newer Nothing phones. It’s worth noting that if you do decide to use TCL’s AI features, many of them are handled locally on the Note A1, while more demanding ones are carried out over the cloud through a partnership with Microsoft Azure.

Although the Note A1 comes with Microsoft’s apps like Edge and Outlook pre-installed, you can download Google apps or pretty much any other app you like from the Play Store, unlike on reMarkable’s E-Ink tablets.

Just note that your mileage will vary from app to app. For instance, while I could download, log in, and use Reddit, I kept getting an error message that I was using an incorrect version of X when I tried to launch it. You can also sideload Android apps, but I wouldn’t recommend that unless you know what you’re doing and what you’ve downloaded for security reasons.

I tried reading a few graphic novels uploaded as PDF files right from the Note A1’s home screen, and while it worked, I just couldn’t get it to save my place. Then, after downloading and installing CDisplayEx, I was able to read Resident Alien and other digital comics with ease. In fact, they looked great on the Note A1’s 11.5-inch, 3:2 screen.

I’m sure there’s even more I can do with TCL’s latest tablet. However, after three weeks of taking notes, reading ebooks and graphic novels, checking my Gmail and Slack messages, and reading the news, I’m very impressed with the Note A1 and its simpler, more streamlined Android skin.

A tablet worth keeping handy

As I normally do when testing out a new tablet, I kept it right at the ready on my desk. Surprisingly, though, while I’d be constantly recharging other tablets, the Note A1’s battery life continued to wow me during the time I spent using it as my daily driver.

Over the course of three weeks, it never ran out of battery and flat-out died. In fact, after leaving it untouched for a few days, the lowest I saw its battery get was 30%.

Even now, as I’m writing this late on Friday, after charging it on Tuesday before heading out to take pics, it’s still at 70% battery life. In addition to its extra-large 8,000 mAh battery, I think a big part of its lengthy battery life comes down to how the Note A1 enters Standby Mode when not in use for extended periods.

Now, would I recommend this tablet for watching YouTube videos and playing games? Absolutely not, as one of the best cheap tablets would be better for the former, while a more powerful device like the RedMagic Astra 2 would be a better fit for the latter. You can certainly watch videos on the Note A1, but your fingers need to be quick on the draw to pull down its Quick Settings menu since you don’t have physical volume controls after all.

Instead, I think this tablet is a great fit for those who want something simpler that’s easy on the eyes while also being incredibly thin and light — without the premium price you’d pay for an iPad Air. The Note A1 is exactly what its name implies: a handy device that comes with a stylus in the box for taking notes, brainstorming, and jotting down ideas.

More from Tom's Guide

• I tried the TCL NXTPAPER 11 Plus and this budget tablet is easily my iPad killer
• I use these 3 tricks with all my tablets so they don’t just feel like a bigger phone
• I got tired of having a bad remote play experience so I used Wi-Fi 7 and this powerful gaming tablet to fix it for good

Amazon just launched a new basic Kindle for $149. Thinner and lighter, this model features a new edge-to-edge color chassis and a more flush 6-inch display. Amazon also says it opens books 30% faster than the previous Kindle. Like I said when I went hands-on with Amazon’s new Kindles, it’s not just a simple refresh.

The new basic Kindle has a lot going for it, but you're arguably getting a better value with a bundle for the 2024 model. While the new Kindle costs $149 for the device alone, Amazon is currently selling a Kindle Essentials Bundle that includes a fabric cover and the e-reader for $125 — a savings of 38%.

Again, the new Kindle seems like an excellent upgrade, but you might not need it. Here’s why.

• shop all early October Prime Day deals

Why the older Kindle is still worthwhile

The 2024 Kindle is largely a refresh of the 2022 model, with the same design and core features. This 6-inch e-reader features a 25% brighter front light, sharper contrast, and a matcha green color.

This 6-inch e-reader is an ideal companion for leaving the house or going on a trip because it’s small enough to fit comfortably in most pockets. Its compact, lightweight design also makes it easy to hold for longer periods, even compared to its cousins, the 7-inch Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Colorsoft.

The display is another highlight. Though it lacks color temperature adjustment, it’s just as sharp and clear as the display on the more expensive Kindle models. Beyond novels, it’s also great for reading manga or black-and-white comic books, as the drawings look crisp on the 300ppi display.

You also get long-lasting battery life. Amazon claims the Kindle can last up to 6 weeks, but that’s only if you keep the backlight level low, turn off wireless, and only read for 30 minutes a day. In my experience, with the backlight off, wireless on, and about an hour of reading a day, the Kindle’s battery dropped to around 70% in two weeks. Needless to say, this Kindle has strong endurance and won’t suddenly run out of battery.

The new Kindle is a nice upgrade

The new Kindle isn’t revolutionary, but it has meaningful upgrades meant to deliver a better overall reading experience. If you’re brand-new to the best Kindles, this is arguably the device to start with. (Check out our 2026 Kindles preorders page for a rundown of all the new models).

This base model starts with 16GB of storage and includes lock screen ads. It comes in two colors: Ube and Graphite. Beyond new colors, the chassis has been redesigned with a more flush display, giving the e-reader a more uniform look. This also makes this Kindle appear closer to the Paperwhite and Colorsoft, both of which have flush displays.

Performance-wise, Amazon says the new Kindle is 30% faster than before. During my hands-on time with the device, I certainly felt a difference when I scrolled through the pages of a digital novel. The days of the basic Kindle feeling extremely sluggish are officially over.

The 6-inch display is largely the same as before, but because it’s now more flush, text appears clearer and sharper. The 300ppi display ensures that everything, even black-and-white images, looks crisp and clear.

If you want to upgrade to premium, there’s a $189 aluminum model with 32GB of storage and no ads. This e-reader supports magnetic accessories, such as covers, and comes in Alpine Sky and Seaglass Green. Thanks to its aluminum build, holding this Kindle feels similar to holding a smartphone. Yes, it's pricey, but it’s pretty great.

Bottom line

Based on what I’ve seen, the new Kindle seems like a worthwhile upgrade. However, if you want your cash to go a bit further for a device that still delivers the same excellent Kindle experience, the Kindle Essentials Bundle for $125 is hard to top!

Given how the October Prime Day event starts next week and runs from October 6 through October 7, it’s possible we’ll see even deeper discounts. But if you don’t want to wait, I say take advantage of this Kindle bundle deal now.

Amazon’s new Kindle lineup isn’t just a simple refresh; the company’s famous e-readers pack a slew of new, long-awaited updates. These include thinner and lighter builds, aluminum chassis variants, and a repositioned power button. While the new Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite, and Kindle Colorsoft are now pricier, the upgrades are meaningful.

I got to check out the new Kindles firsthand during a recent event and was impressed by what I saw. Updating Kindles can be tricky as the devices are darn near perfect e-readers already, but some of the additions do make for a more pleasing reading experience. I’ve been an avid Kindle user for the better part of a decade, so the upgrades are certainly worth getting excited about.

Here’s everything you need to know about the new Kindles.

Price and availability

Amazon is releasing three new Kindles, with the basic Kindle available right now, and the Paperwhite and Colorsoft arriving on October 28 — right in time for the busy holiday season.

The entry-level 6-inch Kindle starts at $149, comes with 16GB of storage, and includes lock screen ads. The aluminum model starts at $189, packs 32GB of storage, and is ad-free. It also supports magnetic accessories, such as covers. The entry-level model comes in Ube and Graphite colors, while the aluminum version comes in Alpine Sky Aluminum and Seaglass Green.

Next up is the 7-inch Kindle Paperwhite, which now starts at $199 with 16GB of storage and ads. The $249 Signature Edition features an aluminum chassis, 32GB of storage, an auto-adjusting light sensor, and a built-in accelerometer. It replaces standard Qi wireless charging with a pogo pin dock system, but you can also charge it via the USB-C port. The starting color is Graphite, and the aluminum colors are Graphite and Seaglass Green.

Last but not least is the 7-inch Kindle Colorsoft, which starts at $289 with 16GB of RAM. Like the other models, there will also be an aluminum model, which will cost $319 and pack 32GB of storage. Colors are the same as the Paperwhite, though the aluminum also comes in Fig instead of Seaglass Green.

Expect new accessories as well. This includes the $34 Kindle Click, which works with all the new models and current-generation Kindles. It has assignable page forward/backward buttons and a dedicated volume-style wheel for brightness controls. And for Kindle Oasis fans, the $79 Page-Turn Button Case (exclusive to Signature Series devices) features physical, tactile page-turn buttons directly on the case bezel.

Hands-on with the new Kindles

All of the new Kindles are now thinner and lighter than their respective predecessors. You won’t notice that at a glance, but when I held the new basic Kindle against the previous model, the difference wasn’t stark but certainly noticeable. The aluminum versions are naturally heavier, but not by much. Thanks to the new design, you should be able to read more comfortably for longer.

Each model comes with an assortment of new colors, engineered so the device’s color doesn’t bleed onto the display. That’s why prior Kindles had black bezels that absorb light. Books now open about 30% faster on the base Kindle, and I noticed the difference right away since I use Kindles so much. Your smartphone still refreshes faster, but I appreciate the speedier page turns.

Except for the basic Kindle, the Paperwhite and Colorsoft are both fully waterproof (IPX8). So if you want to read in the bath, you can do so without worrying about the Kindle falling into the water.

The aluminum models are my favorites since they feel like holding a smartphone (which Amazon deliberately wanted). Even the basic Kindle feels more premium thanks to its smooth, sturdy aluminum chassis. That’s not to say the non-aluminum models feel bad to hold, but the aluminum Kindles just step things up. I typically keep Kindles in cases, but I might not with the aluminum models.

Speaking of cases, there are the standard Kindle cases that the e-reader slots into. They’re also color-coded to the Kindle’s specific color, which is a nice touch. The ones I liked most were the new magnetic cases for the aluminum models, since they magnetically snap into place.

The biggest game-changer for me is the power button, which, like with the Kindle Scribe, is now located on the right-hand side instead of at the bottom. Many users like me have long asked for this, since accidentally turning the Kindle off has always been frustrating. You might not think this is a big deal, but trust me, it absolutely is.

Outlook

Kindles are my favorite way to read novels, so I’m glad Amazon keeps improving a device that is already excellent at what it does. The aluminum models look and feel great, and I love the repositioned power button. Again, I’m not enamored with the higher prices, but it’s hard to complain much thanks to these upgrades.

We’ll have full reviews of the new Kindles for you soon, so stay tuned!

More from Tom's Guide

• I just tested the Kindle Scribe — and it will be hard going back to the Paperwhite
• Find the best Kindle for you with our quick quiz
• How to read library books for free on your Kindle or other e-reader

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra ($1,399) is here for those who want a super-sized Android tablet. This year’s model is admittedly a nominal upgrade from the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra I reviewed last year, but on its own, it’s a great premium slate for folks in the Android and Samsung ecosystems.

As before, this tablet features an enormous 14.6-inch display that’s as perfect for watching your favorite streaming shows as it is for juggling multiple apps. The thin, lightweight, and sturdy design makes it an unobtrusive travel partner, while the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chip inside provides the slate with enough power to run your apps and games. You also get nearly 12 hours of battery life to get you through most of the day.

While the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra has many of the things I liked about the previous model, it also shares some of that tablet’s shortcomings. The tablet can still be too cumbersome to hold comfortably for long periods, and DeX Mode still isn’t the Windows 11 equivalent you’d expect. To truly use the Tab S12 Ultra for work, you’ll need the $399 Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra Pro Keyboard—which is in addition to the slate’s already higher $200 price hike.

Despite its shortcomings, there’s no denying the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra delivers on screen size and an ultraportable design. Right now, it’s one of the best Android tablets around — even if it isn’t the laptop replacement you might expect. Find out more in my full review!

Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? The Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is the latest version of the company’s flagship, oversized tablet.
• Who is it for? For anyone who wants a large OLED tablet that can also serve as a laptop replacement.
• What does it cost? The Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra costs $1,399.
• What do we like? We like the sharp and vivid OLED panel, elegant lightweight design, strong Android tablet performance, and long-lasting battery life.
• What don’t we like? We don’t like the $200 price bump from last year’s model, and that DeX Mode requires an external monitor for full functionality.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra review: Specs

Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra review: The ups

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra has one of the best OLED displays among tablets, along with strong performance, long battery life, and a sleek, thin design.

Thin and light design

There’s not much to say design-wise, as the Tab S12 Ultra is virtually identical to its predecessors. As before, this Android tablet measures 12.8 x 8.2 x 0.2 inches and weighs 1.6 pounds. Though holding this enormous tablet isn’t always comfortable, the thin, lightweight design makes it easy to travel with.

When you hold the Tab S12 Ultra horizontally, the power and volume buttons are on the top left-hand side. On the right-hand side, you’ll find a microSD card slot and a single USB-C port for charging. Before you ask, no, there is no headphone jack.

Design-wise, Samsung isn’t looking to reinvent the wheel. Some folks might have wanted a fresh look, but I’m fine with this tried-and-true design. The Tab S12 Ultra is as thin and light as ever, and that’s what matters here.

Vibrant OLED

Another carryover from previous models is the large 14.6-inch OLED panel, which remains as impressive as ever. The OLED delivers excellent contrast between dark and light elements, while the sharp 2960 x 1848 resolution helps you see every detail in whatever you’re watching.

That was my experience watching a nature video on YouTube, where the animals and locales looked lifelike thanks to the OLED panel’s strong detail and contrast. Trust me, your eyes won’t be disappointed when viewing videos on this tablet.

How did the Tab S12 Ultra fare in our lab tests? Color reproduction (sRGB and DCI-P3) is generally oversaturated, as both go past the 100% target, which makes for more vivid colors. Color accuracy (Delta-E) is also great. And as before, this tablet also gets plenty bright when displaying HDR content, nearly hitting 1,000 nits across the entire screen.

The Tab S12 Ultra does well against competitors like the iPad Pro M5 and OnePlus Pad 3. Samsung’s slate delivers brighter SDR than both, though the iPad Pro gets a tad brighter with HDR content. Color-wise, the iPad Pro and OnePlus Pad 3 aren’t as vivid, though their values deliver more naturalistic hues than the Tab S12.

Strong performance

The new Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra upgrades the prior model’s MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ processor to the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chip, while RAM remains the same at 12GB regardless of how much storage you choose. Although there isn’t a massive performance boost from gen to gen, you’re still getting a slate that offers solid performance.

Though I wouldn’t replace my laptop with this tablet, I could still get work done on it without too much trouble. It can handle my typical workflow, which includes multiple open Chrome tabs and the occasional YouTube video. Android also feels snappy, and I rarely (if ever) have apps take too long to load. Navigating the tablet’s settings is also seamless.

As you can see in the table above, the new Tab S12 Ultra has slightly better single- and multi-core performance than last year’s model. That’s commendable, but it’s still not comparable to the powerful iPad Pro M5, which remains the fastest tablet out there.

Again, the Tab S12 Ultra isn’t a slouch when it comes to performance, but Apple’s premium slate still outclasses it. However, if you’re just using this tablet to play Android games, run some work-related apps, or watch YouTube, that performance gap won’t matter much.

Solid battery life

To be upfront, the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra doesn’t last as long as last year’s model. So why is battery life still in “The ups” section? Because even though this tablet’s endurance is lower, it’ll still last you for the better part of a workday and then some.

In our battery life test, which involves continuous web surfing over Wi-Fi with the display set to 150 nits of brightness, the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra lasted 11 hours and 31 minutes. In contrast, its predecessor lasted over 30 minutes longer.

Though you don’t want battery life to decline in a newer model, it’s not a steep drop-off. That said, the iPad Pro M5 and especially the OnePlus Pad 3 outpace the Tab S12 Ultra by a wide margin. Leaving the included charger at home won’t be an emergency, but it’s better to take it with you just in case.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra review: The downs

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is an impressive and massive Android tablet but it's not without its downsides which include DeX Mode limitations and a higher price than last year's model.

DeX Mode still isn’t great

DeX Mode, which provides Samsung devices with desktop-like functionality, remains largely unchanged from the previous version. While it certainly makes the UI feel more like Windows, it still has some of the shortcomings from before.

To make the most of DeX Mode, you’ll need to connect the Tab S12 Ultra to an external monitor. Doing this brings up a Windows-like taskbar on the connected monitor, while the tablet gets a less functional taskbar. Sure, this mostly works as advertised, but I still liked it better when DeX Mode functioned on its own without the need for peripherals.

$200 price bump

To be clear, the Tab S Ultra series has always been Samsung’s most expensive tablet line. Even so, the $200 price increase over last year’s model could make some reconsider their decision to buy this slate.

Why the price hike for nominal upgrades? As I’m sure you’ve already guessed, it’s likely due to the ongoing RAM crisis, which has driven up component costs. Not only does this probably account for the price hike, but it also explains why Samsung didn’t pack more RAM into this tablet than into last year’s model—doing so would’ve driven the price up even further.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra review: Verdict

Even if the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra can’t truly replace your laptop and is now $200 more than last year’s model for nominal upgrades, it’s still an overall great Android tablet at what it does. Even if its performance isn’t equal to iPad Pro’s, the beautiful OLED panel certainly rivals that of Apple’s premium slate.

If you’re an Apple fan, then you’re better off with an iPad Pro or even an iPad Air. And if all you’re looking for is an Android tablet to stream content on, then the much more affordable $399 Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 is a better bet. But if you’re a Samsung user and want an Android tablet with the largest canvas out there, you can't go wrong with the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra.

Prime Big Deal Days — AKA October Prime Day — is just a week away. However, Amazon is already offering a ton of early deals. If you've been waiting to grab a Kindle on sale, the wait is finally over!

Right now you can get up to £170 off Kindles. There's pretty much no better time of year to curl up with a good book, so make sure to pick up these deals while you can!

Keep scrolling to see my favorite Kindle deals. I also recommend checking out our Amazon promo codes.

Quick Links

• shop all Amazon deals
• Kindle (16 GB): was £149 now £94
• Kindle Kids (16 GB): was £159 now £99
• Kindle Colorsoft (16 GB): was £259 now £144 [Lowest price ever!]
• Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB): was £274 now £179
• Kindle Scribe Colorsoft (32GB): was £569 now £399

Kindle deals

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The RedMagic Astra 2 could easily be mistaken for an iPad mini thanks to its compact 9-inch design and rounded corners. However, under the hood, it’s powered by one of Snapdragon’s fastest mobile processors and paired with more RAM than in many other laptops. All of that makes for an excellent and very portable gaming tablet.

With dual USB-C ports, you can charge the Astra 2 with a mobile game controller attached or even connect the tablet to a monitor or TV for a big-screen gaming experience. Speaking of gaming, there’s a physical switch on the side that activates RedMagic’s dedicated Game Space launcher. Oh, and if that wasn’t enough, you can also run full PC games from Steam right on the tablet using the company’s optional Game Hub app.

Then there’s the screen. With a 185Hz OLED panel, the Astra 2 isn’t just fast, but it delivers stunning visuals with deep blacks and excellent picture quality overall.

I’ve been using the Astra 2 as my daily driver for the past two months — both at home and while traveling — and this compact but almost overpowered gaming tablet hasn’t let me down yet, even if it can be a little rough around the edges at times. My RedMagic Astra 2 review will help you decide if this is the best tablet for your needs or if it’s worth sacrificing raw performance for a more budget-friendly alternative.

RedMagic Astra 2: Cheat Sheet

• What is it? A compact Android tablet with high-end specs for gaming.
• Who is it for? For people who want the best mobile gaming experience on a tablet, as well as for Android users who want a small tablet like the iPad mini.
• What does it cost? The RedMagic Astra 2 starts at $699, or you can get an upgraded version with more memory and storage for $799.
• What do we like? Its compact size and premium design, the integrated fingerprint scanner in the power button, the gorgeous 185Hz OLED screen, and that it has dual USB-C ports and the performance of its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor.
• What don’t we like? The tablet’s premium price, that it doesn’t come with any extra accessories, how RedMagic OS feels clunky and that the main, full-featured USB-C port isn’t centered.

RedMagic Astra 2: Specs

RedMagic Astra 2: The Ups

From its premium build and powerful components to its stunning OLED display, the Astra 2 isn’t just another budget Android tablet. Instead, it feels even better than Apple’s iPad mini in hand while delivering a console-like experience if you want it.

The anti-iPad mini

At 8.15 x 5.28 x 0.27 inches, the Astra 2 is slightly larger than the iPad mini to account for its 9.06-inch display versus the latter’s 8.3-inch panel. With an anodized aluminum frame, rounded corners, and a glossy screen, this Android tablet instantly feels premium.

On the left side — assuming you’re holding the tablet in landscape mode — there’s a power button with an integrated fingerprint scanner next to a set of speaker grilles. When holding the Astra 2 this way, I really like how my index finger rests right on the top edge, which makes securely logging in via my fingerprint a breeze.

Then on the right side, there’s a full-featured USB-C port next to the other set of speaker grilles. One thing that sets the Astra 2 apart from other tablets is the red toggle switch across from its volume rocker. Called the Competitive Key, switching it on lets you jump from your Android home screen right into RedMagic’s GameSpace launcher, but more on that later. There’s also a second USB-C port for charging the device or connecting accessories centered along the bottom edge.

It’s only when you flip the Astra 2 over that you realize this isn’t an iPad mini or even your standard, compact Android tablet. At the top of the device, there’s a 3D vapor chamber for cooling, complete with customizable RGB lighting and a glass strip on top so you can see everything. Then on the right edge, there’s a 13MP camera.

While this design choice might not be for everyone, I really like it. You get just a touch of gamer flair while knowing that, yes, this tablet is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip. If this chipset sounds familiar, that’s because it powers many of the best phones, including the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the OnePlus 15, and even the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Deep blacks and faster frames

Despite all that power under the hood, the Astra 2’s display immediately steals the show when the tablet is powered on. With symmetrical 4.9mm bezels on all sides, you see more of the screen than on the iPad mini 7, which has thicker 8.5–9mm bezels and a 3:2 aspect ratio. At a resolution of 2400 x 1504, you also get a bit more screen real estate to work with, though Apple just barely wins on pixel density at 326 vs 316 pixels per inch.

The Astra 2 also features a 16:10 aspect ratio, which results in less letterboxing when watching TV shows and movies. Although I don’t normally watch movies on a tablet, I made an exception while testing the Astra 2 thanks to its stunning OLED display.

While watching Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings to get ready for Avengers: Doomsday, the darker, nighttime fight scenes in Macau stood out for their rich, deep blacks, while the lush greenery of Ta Lo in the latter half of the film really popped.

Thanks to the Astra 2’s full-featured USB-C port, I also connected a pair of the best smart glasses, the Viture Pro 2, and watched several films on the tablet during a flight home from Berlin. As with Samsung’s DeX, RedMagic lets you use the tablet’s display as a trackpad while wearing display glasses, though it lacks some of the polish of Samsung’s implementation, with written directions hardcoded across the screen.

You can’t crank up movies and TV shows past 60Hz, but with games it’s a different story. There are quite a few of the best Android games that let you play at a higher 120Hz or 144Hz, or on the Astra 2, which has an 185Hz refresh rate. Given I’m more of a PC gamer, though, RedMagic’s Astra 2 has another really cool trick up its sleeve.

A tablet-sized console

The Astra 2 is nothing if not a highly versatile gaming tablet. Sure, you can play all the most demanding Android games, from Zenless Zone Zero and Wuthering Waves to Genshin Impact and Fortnite, with ease and all the settings turned up. However, that’s far from your only way to play.

Just like how you can dock the Nintendo Switch 2, if you have one of the best monitors with USB-C in, you can get a one-cable, big-screen gaming experience with the Astra 2. Likewise, with a device like the Genki Covert Dock 3, you can connect the tablet to a TV.

With the Astra 2 connected to my Innova CB32U1 monitor, I toggled the Astra 2’s Competitive Key and got a full-fledged game launcher on my display, and I could also use the tablet simultaneously. All of the games you have installed appear in RedMagic’s Game Space, and you can also stream games from your PC or consoles using their respective remote play apps.

Although it didn’t come pre-installed on my review unit, I was able to get the full AAA experience locally after downloading RedMagic’s GameHub app. That’s right, with GameHub installed and your Steam or Epic Games account linked, you can play many of the best PC games via emulation directly on your Android tablet.

I loaded up a few and played my go-to game, the skateboarding sim Session, along with Valve’s Portal 2 at 50–60 fps without having to turn down their settings too much. The experience wasn’t perfect, and getting to the main menu in Metro Exodus took much longer than I expected. Still, being able to play the PC games you already own on your Android tablet is much better than being limited to mobile games, especially when big ports like Resident Evil 4 or Death Stranding are only available on Apple’s iPadOS.

RedMagic Astra 2: The Downs

The Astra 2 is an impressive Android tablet that easily rivals Apple’s iPad mini, but it’s not without its downsides. From a very premium price for a smaller tablet to a USB-C port that isn’t quite in the right place, there are certainly some kinks RedMagic needs to iron out before a potential follow-up.

Full-featured but off-center

Two is always better than one, and that’s especially true for USB-C ports on a device like the Astra 2. That way, you can play and charge at the same time or even use a wired keyboard and mouse while emulating PC games in the GameHub app. However, there’s just one problem: these dual USB-C ports aren’t identical.

While the USB-C port on the right side of the Astra 2 is a 3.2 Gen 2 port with DisplayPort out, the one on the underside of the tablet is a slower, less capable USB 2.0 port. Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem, and on my Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 with an identical dual-port setup, it isn’t. However, the Astra 2’s more powerful USB-C port is located in a very awkward place.

Now that many of the best mobile game controllers support smaller tablets like the Astra 2 or iPad mini, my first instinct was to attach one on either side of RedMagic’s tablet.

Unfortunately, instead of being centered, the more powerful USB-C port is located above the speaker grille on the right side. With my Razer Kishi Ultra connected, a good portion of the Astra 2 hangs below the controller, similar to the screen lip on the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+. However, while that handheld gaming PC’s screen extends slightly, almost half of the Astra 2’s display was positioned below my telescopic controller.

You see similar setups when people try to put a telescopic game controller on one of the best foldable phones. I just never expected to have to deal with something like this on a tablet specifically made for gaming — and mobile gaming at that.

A steep investment without the extras

At $699 for the base model or $799 for the version with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, the Astra 2 is certainly a premium Android tablet. If mobile gaming is your thing and you want to play on a larger screen, or if you want a very future-proof tablet, the Astra 2 could be worth it.

After paying $549 for the Legion Tab Gen 3 back in 2025, before RAMageddon hit, it makes sense that RedMagic had to raise the price of the Astra 2. With components getting more expensive, launching it at $499 for the base model, as the company did with the Astra 1, no longer makes sense.

What surprised me, though, was how little was in the box. Of course, I got the tablet itself and a charging cable, but I was disappointed I didn’t find any other extras beyond a few stickers. For comparison, the Legion Tab Gen 3 included a folio case with a removable magnetic front cover and a glass screen protector.

Apparently, Lenovo has also become a bit more stringent with included freebies in the Tab Gen 5, likely to keep costs down. Still, I would have loved to see a case with a built-in stand included with the Astra 2, especially since you can’t comfortably use a mobile game controller with it because of that off-center USB-C port.

RedMagic Astra 2: Verdict

The RedMagic Astra 2 is certainly an outlier among Android tablets. For starters, it has a compact, portable 9-inch design with true flagship power under the hood. Its 185Hz OLED display makes whatever content you’re watching or playing stand out in the best way. You also get dual USB-C ports and a fingerprint scanner integrated directly into its power button for secure, seamless logins.

While the off-center, full-featured USB-C port is a bit of a bummer, along with the Astra 2’s higher price, the device still feels exceptionally premium in hand. Still, I would have loved to have a case in the box and for RedMagic to work out a few of the kinks in its proprietary Android launcher.

If you want the versatility of a tablet that’s also highly portable and a gaming experience that’s almost on par with one of the best PC handhelds, the Astra 2 can’t be beat. It’s one of the best Android tablets I’ve tried yet, and while using it, I didn’t miss my iPad mini at all.

A quartet of unannounced Apple products was reportedly discovered in a company code that revealed images of a new iPad mini 8, iPad 12, HomePod mini 2, and the long-awaited Apple TV 4K refresh.

The images were found by Aaron Perris, a regular contributor to MacRumors. It's not clear what code Perris dug through to find the images, though usually it's one of the major operating systems like iOS or macOS.

Per MacRumors, where the images were discovered indicates that these devices could launch very soon.

Here's what we know about the four products.

Apple TV 4K

The image Perris discovered appears to be labeled "Apple TV 4K (4th generation)." Based on this image, the fourth generation will look pretty much exactly the same as gen three.

The upgrades should all be inside, including a new chip, anything from an A17 Pro all the way up to the A20, based on rumors. The newer chip will come with more RAM and the ability to run Apple Intelligence and the new Siri AI.

It's also rumored to get an Apple-designed N1 chip (possibly the N2) and WiFi 7 support, plus an updated Remote.

iPad 12

Not every leaked image comes with potential technical specifications, but the iPad 12 apparently did. According to the code, Apple's updated entry-level iPad 12 will feature an A19 chip, an Apple-built C1X modem, an N1 chip and 8GB of RAM.

In all, those are expected updates based on previous rumors. Like the Apple TV, more RAM and a more recent chip will enable the iPad 12 to support Apple Intelligence and Siri AI, which the current iPad 11 can't run.

iPad mini 8

Interestingly, the leaked code of the iPad mini 8 doesn't seem to discuss the rumored OLED display. Instead, MacRumors found that it will have an A20 Pro chip, a new landscape front-facing camera, and an updated speaker system.

Many previous rumors have suggested that the next mini tablet will be the iPad mini with OLED, meant to launch this October. Just because OLED doesn't appear in the code doesn't mean that it won't launch this fall though.

That said, the iPad mini running the A20 Pro chip is new and should make Apple's smallest tablet quite powerful. For instance, the iPad mini 7, released two years ago features an A17 Pro chipset.

HomePod mini 2

It appears that new version of the HomePod mini will be released in five colors which appear to include white, black, green, blue and a pinkish variant. The current models come in blue, yellow, orange, midnight and white.

We've tracked the HomePod mini 2 on our rumor radar since at least 2023. It should be a simple update including a new chip that will likely let it run Apple Intelligence and Siri AI as with every other device listed above. It's also expected to have improved audio.

We expect all four devices to launch before the end of October alongside the HomePad smart home hub, and new M6 Macbooks.

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• How to add Apple's new dynamic step count widget to your Apple Watch
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I've tested plenty of the best tablets, and when it comes to devices made specifically for kids, I usually look for things like a chunky case, parental controls, colorful apps and hardware that's hopefully durable enough to survive whatever a 5-year-old throws at it.

The AT&T amiGO Jr. Tab 2 has all of that, but after giving it to my 5-year-old, the feature I ended up appreciating most wasn't what the matte screen, the lack of AI or the variety of entertainment options. In fact, it's something that other tablets like the Fire Tablet lacked. It has stylus.

A stylus is a rare feature for a kids' tablet

To be completely honest, my son was using the tablet for a few days before I even realized it had a stylus. But, tucked in a tight pocket on the back of the cover is a crayon-like stylus perfect for little hands.

Combined with the tablet's matte display, this simple accessory has turned the amiGO Jr. Tab 2 into something my son can use to draw, trace and practice some of the same fine motor skills he's working on as he learns to write better.

It's not perfect, In particular, I wish its protective bumper stayed attached more securely and I wish there was a way to keep the stylus better tethered to the case. If there's one universal truth about giving a small accessory to a 5-year-old, it's that its eventual home will probably be somewhere between the couch cushions. I'll admit, we lost it within days, but ended up finding a third-party crayon-like stylus on Amazon, that worked just as well. It comes in a pack of two so there's a backup. (If you know, you know).

However, after watching my son use the amiGO Jr. Tab 2 day after day, it's clear that some thoughtful decisions went into designing this tablet for younger kids.

Set up was a breeze

Setup is easy, the parental controls don't feel unnecessarily complicated and, refreshingly, the tablet isn't trying to shove generative AI in front of a young child. You'll actually find no AI on this tablet unless you choose apps or use Google on it. (All of which can be disabled).

I kept it connected to my account rather than giving my 5-year-old free rein, which meant I could control what he had access to without constantly hovering over him. I could decide which apps he could use, set limits around screen time and lock down features I didn't want him wandering into.

That simplicity is one of the things I appreciated most. There's no chatbot waiting for him to start a conversation, no AI image generator and no AI assistant encouraging him to ask it questions. For a device aimed at younger kids, I really appreciate that the amiGO Jr. Tab 2 mostly stays in its lane: games, videos, books, drawing and the apps a parent decides to put there.

The cost is reasonable for a quality tablet

We are an AT&T family but you don't have to be. It just seemed to make things easier. Through AT&T's amiGO app, parents can use location tracking and communication tools designed to help them stay connected with their child. It's an especially useful addition if the tablet is going to leave the house, since it gives parents another way to keep tabs on both the device and the child using it.

The amiGO Jr. Tab 2 is available now at AT&T for $239.99 outright or $4.99 per month over 36 months with a qualifying new line. It has an 8.7-inch anti-glare display, a 6,000 mAh battery and 64GB of storage, giving younger kids plenty of room for apps, games, books and downloaded videos without making the tablet feel unnecessarily big or heavy.

The bigger upgrade over the original amiGO Jr. Tab is connectivity. The Tab 2 supports AT&T 5G rather than relying primarily on Wi-Fi, which means kids can use it in the car, while traveling or anywhere else you have a cellular connection. That connectivity also powers some of the best features.

The matte screen is the real star

One of the first things I noticed about the amiGO Jr. Tab 2 was its display. It isn't shiny like an iPad or Fire Tablet, instead it has a matte, anti-glare finish. It might not sound like a major feature, but put a tablet into the hands of a 5-year-old and the benefits become obvious quickly.

It cuts down on reflections, and fingerprints aren't nearly as noticeable — useful when the primary user tends to touch every square inch of the display. More importantly, when a child uses the stylus, the slight texture on the surface supports easy movement of the stylus. So, instead of sliding across slick glass, there's a slight pull, which makes a surprisingly big difference.

When he draws or traces letters, the matte screen provides just enough resistance to keep the tip from shooting across the display. I can see him slowing down and making more deliberate movements with his fingers and hand.

He's still 5, of course. Sometimes he's carefully tracing a letter, and sometimes he's furiously scribbling across the screen. But I've found myself encouraging him to grab the stylus rather than simply use his finger because it gets him holding and controlling an actual writing implement.

This brings me to durability. My son is a thrower. Meaning, when he is done with something he will throw it. He has special needs and we are working on it, but for the sake of helping parents understand the durability of this tablet, I have to say, this thing can take a blow. My kiddo threw it off our porch onto the driveway as we were headed for a long road trip. (Don't ask me why, he's 5). And the tablet survived like nothing happened. I haven't spoken to AT&T about how they stress test the tablet, and I certainly don't recommend throwing it, but just know, when the cover is on, it can take a hit.

Keeping the cover on

The tablet is very sturdy as long as the cover is on. The bumper gives it the chunky protection I'd expect from a device meant for young kids. The problem is that it comes away from the tablet too easily around the edges.

My 5-year-old quickly discovered he could get his fingers underneath it and start peeling it away. And once a 5-year-old discovers that something can be peeled, there's essentially no going back.

That's frustrating because this is exactly the age when I want a protective case that stays firmly attached. It's not enough to ruin the experience, but I'd like to see a tighter-fitting bumper on the next version.

Endless activity

Since it runs Android/Google Kids Space, the games depend on what you approve and install rather than being limited to an AT&T-specific game library. For my kiddo, a few of his favorites include:

PBS KIDS Games — lots of simple educational games featuring Daniel Tiger, Wild Kratts, Curious George and other PBS characters.

LEGO DUPLO World — building, vehicles, animals and open-ended play aimed specifically at younger kids.

Toca Boca World — imaginative, dollhouse-style play where kids create characters and stories. He enjoys playing this one with is siblings.

Sago Mini World — very preschool-friendly mini games and activities without complicated instructions.

Khan Academy Kids — reading, numbers, drawing and early-learning activities presented as games.

Crayola Create & Play — kids can draw, color and do creative activities that work nicely with the stylus.

Minecraft — this available through Google Play, although it's obviously a much more involved game.

YouTube Kids / streaming apps — it can also function as a regular video tablet when you allow those apps.

My son bounces between games, videos and drawing apps, and the stylus is particularly useful for coloring, tracing and other activities that required more precision than tapping the screen with a finger.

Verdict

The AT&T amiGO Jr. Tab 2 gets something right that a lot of technology designed for children doesn't: younger kids don't simply need a watered-down version of an adult device and they do not need AI.

My son doesn't care about processor benchmarks or the latest AI assistant. He cares that he can pick up his tablet and immediately use it. I care about whether I can control what he accesses, whether it can withstand life with a 5-year-old and whether it offers something beyond keeping him entertained.

That's why the amiGO Jr. Tab 2 is parent and kid approved. From the matte screen and chunky stylus to straightforward parental controls, 5G connectivity and a refreshingly AI-free core experience, this feels like a tablet that knows exactly who it's designed for.

More from Tom's Guide

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It’s official. Apple’s first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, will be taking up a surprisingly small space in early adopters’ pockets next month.

It’s undeniably expensive, however. The base 256GB model will set you back $1,999 which critics have noted is more than it would cost to buy the iPhone 18 Pro and the latest iPad mini 7.

So is that worth doing, or does the unique form factor of the iPhone Duo justify the extra cost? Here’s what you should consider before making your choice.

Why you should choose iPhone Duo

Unmatched portability

The main thing the iPhone Duo has going for it is its portability.

When folded, it measures 117.8mm x 84.1mm x 11.3mm. Though that’s not too far removed from the iPhone 18 Pro’s 71.9mm x 150mm x 8.75mm, add in a 134.8mm x 195.4mm x 6.3mm iPad mini 7, and pockets alone just wouldn’t cut it.

And while the iPhone Duo weighs a not-insubstantial 254g, that’s still lighter than the combined weight of the phone and tablet, which together tip the scales at 504g.

When Tom's Guide sat down to talk with CEO John Ternus and Greg Joswiak following the Apple keynote, Joz specifically highlighted the joy of being able to fold up an iPad and take it around with you as part of the device's appeal.

Unique features

As well as the cool factor of a folding phone, the iPhone Duo has a couple of features that are unique to the iPhone family. The internal FaceTime camera is an under-screen model, only visible when required. And that internal screen has a matte finish for less glare and fewer reflections.

In addition, the iPhone Duo's apps can morph based on the folding state of the device. For example, if you're watching Netflix and fold the device like a laptop, you'll see the video up top and controls down below.

Also, bear in mind that while the iPhone Duo uses the same A20 Pro chipset as the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, the iPad mini 7 is a bit longer in the tooth, still using the same A17 Pro silicone as the iPhone 15 Pro. The iPad mini 8 will no doubt close the gap, but its release date (and likely price increase) is still to be determined.

Better multitasking

One of the main reasons people use a tablet is for the enhanced multitasking abilities that a larger screen offers.

While both the iPhone Duo and iPad mini allow multiple apps for genuine multitasking, the former has the advantage here. Why? Because all your files, apps and notes are in one place. With an iPad mini, you’d need to make sure your files were synced between devices — something made that bit harder if you opt for the Wi-Fi-only model.

Only one device to keep charged

Keeping electronics charged is one of the more tedious things about modern living. As a two-in-one device, you only need to monitor the battery of one handheld, rather than two.

Why you should choose an iPhone 18 Pro and an iPad mini

Significant savings

The most obvious advantage of opting for a phone and a tablet over the iPhone Duo is the price difference. An iPhone Duo starts at $1,999, whereas buying both an entry-level iPad mini 7 and a base iPhone 18 Pro together comes to $1,698 — a $301 saving. Even if you opt for an iPhone 18 Pro Max with the iPad mini, you'll still pay a combined $1,798 that comes in cheaper than the Duo. Given the iPad mini 7 is coming up to its second birthday, you’d be able to save a packet by shopping around, too.

These savings can be even greater if you opt for a different combo, too. The iPhone 17 starts at $899 on the Apple site, immediately slashing a further $300 from the price, and again, if you shop around, you’ll be able to get it cheaper.

The battery power of two devices

Though I already covered the hassle of having to top up two batteries, the flip side to this is the added longevity.

The iPhone Duo is expected to have a battery that will last for 44 hours of video on the outer screen, or 31 on the internal one. The iPhone 18 Pro is quoted as going for 34 hours of video (our own battery test knocked it out after 16 hours and 17 minutes of real-world endurance), and the iPad mini lasted just over ten hours in our battery tests. That’s a slight edge to the pair of devices if the Duo is only used folded, and a resounding win if unfolded.

Better camera power

For a flagship device, the iPhone Duo is surprisingly under-specced in the camera department. There are two 48MP rear cameras: a f/1.6 main lens and a f/2.2 ultrawide.

While the iPad mini’s camera can be safely ignored for the most part, the iPhone 18 Pro is clearly far more flexible. Not only does the 48MP main camera include a variable aperture, letting photographers choose between f/1.48m, f/1.8m f/2.8 and f/4.0 values, but you also get an additional 48MP telephoto lens with 4x optical zoom.

A full Apple Pencil experience

Although the iPhone Duo supports the Apple Pencil on both of its screens, there is one big caveat: you have to use the paired-back USB-C version. That means there’s no pressure sensor, haptic feedback, Find My support or added features like squeeze or double-tap.

While that’s better than the iPhone 18 Pro, which doesn’t support any Apple Pencils, the iPad mini 7 lets you use the USB-C model or the far better Apple Pencil Pro. That makes it the superior option for serious doodlers.

iPhone Duo or iPhone 18 Pro + iPad mini?

Ultimately, there are benefits to both configurations. The iPhone Duo is undoubtedly more convenient and portable than lugging around two devices, and it has a few neat features that aren’t (yet) available on other Apple handhelds, like the under-screen selfie camera and a matte display.

But opting for both a less glamorous iPhone and iPad instead will save you at least $200, and likely more if you shop around or look beyond the brand new iPhone 18 Pro. On top of that, you get a superior camera setup and the full Apple Pencil experience.

In short, there’s no straightforward right or wrong answer here, and what you should choose will depend on your budget and specific circumstances.

More from Tom's Guide

• Your iPhone Duo deserves better than a cheap case — here are 9 life-savers
• Apple Watch Series 12 review: A new heart rate sensor and a readiness score make this the best smartwatch on the market
• iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max benchmarks: These are the fastest phones we've ever tested

Whether you're picking up an iPhone, iPad or some other Apple device, you'll know that official repairs can get very expensive. Heck, a simple screen repair on the iPhone 18 Pro Max is going to cost $379, which is almost a third of the cost of the phone itself. AppleCare+ makes those fees a little more palatable, so long as you're willing to subscribe and pay a monthly fee.

The problem is that paying for AppleCare on multiple devices can get pretty expensive, especially if you're part of a whole family of Apple users. AppleCare One already offers the chance to cover up to three devices on a single plan, and now AppleCare One Family offers that same coverage for up to six people — for $50 a month.

What devices you can add

There are surprisingly few limits on the number of devices you can add to this plan. All devices that are covered by AppleCare will be automatically added to the Family plan when you sign up, as will any devices purchased within the previous 60 days.

However, devices that are over four years old, or AirPods and Beats that are over a year old, will need to undergo a device check to ensure they're in good condition. This can be done remotely, or by visiting your nearest Apple Store. Apple has also made it clear that you can't add more than six Vision Pro headsets to the plan — not that anyone would.

The usual AppleCare+ service fees still apply. Battery servicing is totally free under the plan, while repairs to the screen and back glass are $29. Other accidental damage is $99, while theft or loss claims come with a $149 deductible. You're also limited to six loss and theft claims over the course of a year.

Devices will remain covered so long as you keep your AppleCare One Family Plan active, and provided they connect to an Apple server at least once every 12 months. However, Apple does note that devices can be removed from the plan if it runs out of the necessary parts to service and make repairs.

Coverage is also dependent on the devices being signed into a family member's Apple Account. If they sign out, and a non-family member later signs in, coverage will end.

How to set up AppleCare One Family

AppleCare One Family is currently only available in the United States, and the setup process can be initiated by any adult member of a Family Sharing Group. Payments are automatically made by the family organizer, regardless of which adult actually signs up. However, the person who initiated the subscription can choose their own payment method if they prefer. Other family members will be restricted from signing up for a different AppleCare plan unless they leave the family group.

If you're part of a family or friendship group that's big on using Apple products, signing up for an AppleCare One Family plan feels like a no-brainer. A simple AppleCare One plan costs $20 a month, and coverage for up to three devices is included in the cost plus $6 a month for each additional product.

The Family plan with a full six people means that you're paying $8.33 per person, and without any major device limitations. All you have to do is make sure the participants actually pay you their dues, which should be a lot easier considering sharing money is now as easy as bumping phones together.

More from Tom's Guide

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• Why your iPhone says 'Optimizing Search and Siri' in iOS 27 — and how to speed it up
• I’ve used macOS Golden Gate for 3 months — and here’s what I think

iPadOS 27 is here for the best iPads that support it! Like iOS 27 and macOS 27, iPadOS 27 focuses on overall system refinements and deeper AI integration. That last bit is especially noteworthy, as there’s now a dedicated Siri AI app that functions like a standard chatbot. Beyond answering questions, Siri AI can also take actions on your behalf since it’s integrated into the operating system and works with Apple’s applications.

I’ve been using iPadOS 27 since the beta launched over the summer, and have generally had a smooth experience with the latest OS update. Though I’m not a big AI user, the updated Siri can be handy — especially as it can do things on your behalf. And if you have kids, I’m sure you’ll appreciate the new child safety features.

iPadOS 27 isn’t a game-changer, but features like the overhauled Siri AI, the Liquid-Glass slider, and other quality-of-life improvements make using Apple’s tablets feel smoother and more personalized. Here is my full review of iPadOS 27.

iPadOS 27 review: Compatible iPads

Here are all the iPads that support iPadOS 27.

• iPad Pro (M4 and later)
• iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (4th generation and later)
• iPad Pro 11‑inch (2nd generation and later)
• iPad Air 13-inch (M2 and later)
• iPad Air 11-inch (M2, M3, and M4)
• iPad Air 11-inch (4th generation and later)
• iPad (A16)
• iPad (9th generation and later)
• iPad mini (A17 Pro)
• iPad mini (6th generation)

iPadOS 27 review: Biggest features

The new Siri

Apple Intelligence is finally ready for prime time on the company’s devices. Thanks to the new Siri AI app, you can now interact with Apple’s virtual assistant the same way you would with a chatbot like ChatGPT or Google Gemini. Apple Intelligence runs on both servers and your device to offer better image understanding and more.

There is now a dedicated Siri AI app, which looks and functions like a regular chatbot app. In this window, you can ask Siri questions or have it perform tasks for you. For example, I used Siri to send a message to one of my iMessage group chats, and it did so after I approved it. Sure, I could have just done this directly in the group chat, but it’s a good demonstration of what the new Siri can do.

Siri AI also understands what's on your screen. When I had the Tom’s Guide homepage open on Google Chrome, it correctly detailed what was on the screen, including all the articles. It couldn’t open the articles or read them aloud (despite saying it could), but since I’m testing a beta version, I’ll give it an A for effort, even if it failed to complete the task.

Siri is most useful when you’re using Apple’s own apps and programs. It can create calendar events, set reminders, play music, and more. For example, when you’re looking at a schedule, you’ll see an “add to calendar” button pop up. When you right-click certain folders, files, or apps, you’ll see an “Ask Siri” option at the bottom. Selecting this will open a window where you can start texting or talking with Siri.

Though Siri can’t yet interact with many third-party applications (such as those from Google), it’s a huge improvement over the old Siri.

Liquid Glass improvements

Liquid Glass hasn’t gone anywhere, as Apple is leaning more into the UI with its latest operating system updates. However, Apple is now giving you more control over how it looks with a new slider that adjusts opacity. You can’t eliminate the Liquid Glass look, but you can minimize it significantly.

Other improvements include more diffuse, complex background visuals, so text stands out more. You’ll also notice that the edges of icons are more pronounced to help further separate them from the background. The uniform corner radius of all app windows also helps them stand out more.

Even if Liquid Glass hasn’t gone anywhere, even detractors should find the updates tolerable since they do greatly improve overall readability and visibility. The Liquid Glass slider is a nice touch.

I've never had a problem with Liquid Glass because I think it’s an interesting visual effect. That said, I’m glad that folks can now fine-tune it to their liking. The slider is especially neat because it’s easy to use and clearly shows how much of a difference there is when you go from one extreme to the other.

Child safety features

If you’re a parent, you’ll be happy to know that Apple is expanding its parental control features with iPadOS 27. This way, you can let the kiddo use Apple’s tablet without worrying too much about the kind of content they’re watching and for how long they’re using the slate.

These updates include a redesigned, more intuitive Screen Time Dashboard with one-tap controls and expanded safeguards. There are also Time Allowances for app categories, Ask to Browse website approval, Communication Safety that blurs gore or violence, and one-tap access management. You can tailor these features to suit your child.

I don’t have kids, but I did find the child safety features simple enough to use and customize. Given how much kids love iPads, it’s smart for Apple to keep refining these safety features.

iPadOS 27 review: Other features

• Spatial Reframing: As the name suggests, you can now reframe a photo after it’s been taken thanks to this feature. You can also expand your shots with the Extend Tool and remove objects with the Clean Up tool.
• Upgraded Image Playground: Image Playground can now generate higher-quality images. You can also modify and transform existing images by describing what you want.
• Siri in Notes: Siri AI can assist with your handwritten or typed notes in the Notes app by (for example) organizing bullet points into a formatted agenda or turning handwritten lectures into a detailed study guide.
• Safari updates: In Safari, tabs can now be automatically grouped by topic, making related pages easier to find. With Safari Notify Me, you can receive an alert if there’s a price change or a restock for an item you’ve been eyeing.
• Describe Shortcuts: Instead of manually building complex workflows, you can now describe what you need, and Shortcuts connects actions across multiple apps to make it happen. This is useful if you want to set specific routines, such as launching a specific app when you connect a peripheral.

iPadOS 27 review: Verdict

I use an iPad Pro every single day and have largely been pleased with iPadOS 27. Again, it won’t set the world on fire with revolutionary new features, but the upgraded Siri AI and deeper Apple Intelligence integrations help make iPads that support the update more useful. This is especially true if you use Apple’s own apps often.

As I said in my macOS Golden Gate review, iPadOS 27 feels like a holding-pattern update for whatever big OS refresh the folks in Cupertino are cooking. But there’s also nothing wrong with not fixing what isn’t broken, so it’s fine that this isn’t a huge update. If you own a compatible iPad, you should update as soon as you can to test the new features yourself!

Apple's big week of operating system updates is finally here with the new iPadOS 27. This year's update isn't groundbreaking; instead, it focuses on Apple Intelligence, which should make for a more personal, customized experience.

As with iOS 27 and macOS Golden Gate, the main attraction is the reinvented Siri, which finally lives up to its potential. Siri AI, as it’s now called, is context-aware and understands what’s on your screen. Because it’s built into the OS, it can directly control and manage apps. It also adds new child safety features, improved readability for Liquid Glass, new photo-editing tools, and more.

Here’s how to download iPadOS 27.

How to download iPadOS 27

As always, before you install a major update like iPadOS 27, back up your iPad in case anything goes wrong and you need to return to iPadOS 26.

Not every iPad will be compatible with the new operating system, but if your tablet is, the upgrade is free.

Here is the full list of iPads that are compatible with iPadOS 27:

• iPad Pro (M4 and later)
• iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (4th generation and later)
• iPad Pro 11‑inch (2nd generation and later)
• iPad Air 13-inch (M2 and later)
• iPad Air 11-inch (M2, M3, and M4)
• iPad Air 11-inch (4th generation and later)
• iPad (A16)
• iPad (9th generation and later)
• iPad mini (A17 Pro)
• iPad mini (6th generation)

More from Tom's Guide

• I just downloaded macOS 27 public beta — skip Siri AI and try these 5 hidden features instead
• Haptic vs. Mechanical trackpads: I put them both through a gauntlet, and one almost made me throw my laptop into the sun
• Exclusive: I asked Lenovo’s GM to predict the future of monitors, and it's the end of our chaotic, cable-cluttered desks and monitors that fry your retinas

The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 ($399) is the most unique tablet I’ve ever reviewed. It delivers exceptional sound thanks to the enormous JBL-9 speaker on its back. You could be forgiven for thinking it’s a speaker with a tablet attached! This is the most defining feature, but there’s more to like about Lenovo’s entertainment-focused tablet.

The bright, colorful 12.1-inch 2K display is ideal for watching your favorite videos and movies. The Tab Plus Gen 2 is also great for reading and web browsing. The large speaker can make the tablet uncomfortable to hold for too long, but the handy built-in kickstand balances that out, and you can rotate it for vertical or horizontal viewing.

If you’re looking for a powerful tablet for work, this slate isn’t for you, thanks to its relatively weak MediaTek Dimensity CPU and 8GB of RAM. But if you’re looking for an excellent entertainment machine with the best tablet sound, you should seriously consider the reasonably priced Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2. Find out more in my full review!

Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 is an Android tablet built for entertainment.
• Who is it for? For folks who want a tablet to watch videos and that can deliver stellar, punchy sound.
• What does it cost? The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 is typically $399 but is often discounted. At the time of writing, it’s on sale for $289 on Lenovo’s website.
• What do we like? We like the giant speaker that pumps out phenomenal sound, the handy kickstand, and the vivid 2.5K display.
• What don’t we like? We don’t like that the tablet can be cumbersome to hold for long periods and that its performance isn’t suitable for productivity.

Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 review: Specs

Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 review: The ups

The Tab Plus Gen 2's giant speaker and rotatable kickstand instantly draw attention, but it also features a sharp, vibrant 12.1-inch display and long-lasting battery life.

Incredible speaker sound

Speaker quality is, at best, a footnote in my tablet reviews, since slates generally produce less-than-stellar sound. With the Tab Plus Gen 2, this is the first thing I want to discuss as it’s the standout feature—so much so that I had already written an entire piece about how the gargantuan speaker on this Android tablet isn’t a gimmick. If you’ll pardon the cliché, the speaker quality is music to your ears.

The JBL 9-Unit Pro speaker system is what makes the magic happen. As its name suggests, there are nine speakers: four tweeters, three woofers, and two passive radiators. Those last two speakers deliver deep bass, while the tweeters handle higher-frequency sounds.

Sound is great out of the box, but to make everything truly sound spectacular, you’ll need to head into the Dolby Atmos sub-menu in sound settings. There are three presets: Dynamic, which identifies the content and automatically adjusts for the best sound; Movie, which provides surround sound and clearer dialogue; and Music, which delivers detailed audio so every note and beat sounds punchy. Music also has presets: Detailed, Balanced, and Warm, plus a manual equalizer.

I’m a hard rock and heavy metal fan, and I’m almost always disappointed by the thin, flat sound from most tablets when listening to these genres. That wasn’t the case here, as everything from death metal bands like Amon Amarth to ‘80s tunes like Stan Bush’s “The Touch” sounded rich, punchy, and loud. Movies and podcasts also sound incredible in Movie Mode, with dialogue coming through clear and crisp.

The presets let you quickly enjoy whatever you’re listening to, but you can also dive into the equalizer settings to truly fine-tune how things sound. Regardless, your ears won’t be disappointed.

Built-in, rotatable kickstand

The other notable design feature is the built-in kickstand. Attached directly to the speaker, the kickstand can rotate 360 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise. This lets you comfortably orient the slate horizontally when watching movies or vertically for reading.

While the rotating kickstand moves smoothly, it firmly stays in place once you’ve set it to your preferred position. And when you’re ready to travel with the slate, the kickstand snaps back into place when you push it inward. This might be a minor thing to some, but rotating the kickstand is also enjoyable since you can feel small bumps along the way.

I enjoy reading digital comics, so I love propping the tablet up on my table in portrait orientation so I don’t have to hold it while I read. The 16:9 aspect ratio is relatively close to a real comic’s trim size, which also helps. Naturally, this is also a great way to read books.

Like the kickstand, the tablet is made of sturdy aluminum that doesn’t bend or flex easily. Even if you won’t hold the tablet very often (more on why shortly), its smooth metal body feels nice against your fingers. I also like how the concave volume and power buttons are on the back and easy to reach when it’s in the horizontal position.

Vivid display

The 12.1-inch (2560 x 1600) display on the Tab Plus Gen 2 might not stand out as much as the huge speaker, but it’s also no slouch. Even without an OLED panel, you get sharp image quality that’s bright and colorful.

When watching the latest trailer for the Street Fighter movie, I was impressed by how good everything looked. The detail and colors on the costumes and super moves pop. And thanks to the smooth 120Hz refresh rate, all the action moved smoothly. For watching movies, TV shows, and other videos, this display gets the job done.

Our lab test confirms what my eyes saw. Color reproduction (sRGB and DCI-P3) is generally oversaturated, which accounts for the vivid colors. Color accuracy (Delta-E) is also on par with other tablets. Those colors truly stand out thanks to the bright SDR and HDR brightness.

As you can see, Lenovo’s tablet quite literally outshines Apple’s iPad 11 and the OnePlus Pad Go 2 in both SDR and HDR brightness with adaptive brightness disabled. In fairness to the iPad, it delivers more natural hues than both Android tablets, since its sRGB and DCI-P3 values are closer to the 100% target.

Epic battery life

If you’re going to spend hours watching videos, then you’ll want a tablet that can last for the long haul. Thankfully, that’s the case here, as the Tab Plus Gen 2 offers astonishing battery life.

In our battery test, which involved continuous web surfing over Wi-Fi with the display set to 150 nits of brightness, Lenovo’s slate lasted 16 hours at 60Hz and 13 hours and 39 minutes at 120Hz. While the OnePlus Pad Go 2 lasted almost 40 minutes longer, Lenovo’s tablet outlasted the iPad by nearly four and a half hours.

I should note that the Tab Plus Gen 2 takes a while to fully charge. In our testing and in my own experience, it took 30 minutes to charge the tablet to 20%. Though you won’t have to charge the battery very often, just keep in mind that you’ll have to wait a while to fully juice it up.

Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 review: The Downs

While the Tab Plus Gen 2 excels as an entertainment device, it falls short in some key areas.

Awkward to hold

The giant JBL speaker is the Tab Plus Gen 2’s main selling point, but it can also be a hindrance.

Because the speaker adds bulk to the tablet’s bottom, holding the slate like a traditional tablet can be burdensome. While 1.69 pounds doesn’t sound that heavy, the weight distribution makes the tablet feel heavier.

If you rest the tablet on your lap or use the kickstand to prop it up on your desk, then its weight won’t be an issue. However, this isn’t a slate you can easily hold with one hand, let alone two, for long periods.

Basic performance

I don’t consider this a major drawback since this is an entertainment-focused tablet. Still, if you plan to do serious work on the Tab Plus Gen 2, you might not get the smoothest or fastest experience because of its lackluster performance.

The Tab Plus Gen 2 handles basic tasks like scrolling websites in Google Chrome and reading books on Kindle without issue. However, when I opened multiple apps or Chrome tabs, performance suffered. If I wanted to use this for work, where I typically have 20 to 30 Chrome tabs open, I wouldn't have the smoothest experience.

While the Tab Gen 2 matches the OnePlus Pad Go 2 in both CPU performance (Geekbench 6) and gaming performance (3DMark), these MediaTek Dimensity-powered Android tablets still can’t compete with Apple’s entry-level iPad.

Again, you won’t have a sluggish experience when using this tablet for its intended purpose. Just keep your expectations in check if you try to run heavier workloads or graphically demanding video games.

Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 review: Verdict

I’m an iPad Pro user, so an Android tablet truly has to go above and beyond to impress me. And that’s exactly what the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 has done thanks to its amazing sound quality, versatile kickstand, and crisp image quality.

Sure, it’s not powerful for heavy workloads, but if you mostly watch videos or read, this tablet has everything you’d need. The fact that it tops out at $399 is just icing on the proverbial cake. If you’re looking for an iPad alternative for your entertainment needs, don’t ignore the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2.

Apple's major "Surprise and Shine" event is behind us and the iPhone Duo, Apple's first foldable, is finally official. But there were some omissions based on the rumors, including a lack of smart home devices.

Those devices could still be on the way. Apple typically announces new MacBooks in October, and we could see some other products then as well. Here are the seven new Apple products that we could see next month.

Touchscreen MacBook Ultra with OLED

Apple has already released a surprising number of Mac laptops and desktops this year. We had the MacBook Neo, M5 MacBook Air, and M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros way back in the spring, plus late refreshes of the Mac mini and Mac Studio.

Next month we're expecting an M6 version of the iMac, which also might get some new colorways, and an M6 MacBook Pro.

But the headliner should be a new MacBook Pro (or Ultra). The big change here should be a new OLED touchscreen display, which would make it the first OLED MacBook.

OLED panels are thinner, so the Ultra should be both slimmer and lighter in both 14- and 16-inch versions. It could be powered by the as-yet-unannounced M6 Pro and M6 Max chipsets. This does mean that we might not see the Ultra until early 2027, as Apple has pushed announcing those chips into the first half of the year.

Unfortunately, all these new features and higher-tier silicon mean that the Ultra could have a starting price around $2,499 for the 14-inch model, up from $2,199 for the current M5 Pro models.

iPad mini with OLED

The iPad Pro has had an OLED display since 2024, but we could finally see an iPad mini with OLED this October. Coincidentally, the mini hasn't received an update since October 2024, when the iPad mini 7 was released.

It will likely get a faster chip, probably the A19, if not the new A20, so it can run Apple Intelligence, especially the new Siri AI. It's not clear from rumors if any other design changes will be made. However, it might be thinner and lighter since the OLED panel is thinner.

We should also see an updated entry-level iPad. As far as we're aware the only update here would be new chips.

Smart Home Devices

We warned before the iPhone event that rumors about Apple's smart home options need to be taken with a grain of salt. For years, leaks and rumor mongers have suggested that Apple is planning to introduce a suite of smart home devices, including a revamped HomePod and an AI-powered Apple TV 4K set-top box.

Rumors suggested that Apple would announce these devices during the iPhone event, which obviously did not come to fruition.

Apple seems to have finally figured out Siri AI with iOS 27. If it releases and works as pitched, we could finally start seeing Apple Home.

HomePod Home hub

Previously, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, long a reporter of the rumored HomePod updates, believed that a new HomePod mini could launch with the iPhones alongside the rumored HomePod Home hub.

However, right before the iPhone event, Gurman cheekily tweeted, "If you don't see the Apple TV, HomePod mini, home display and touch MacBook today, don't worry. It's only September."

Several different iterations of this device have been rumored, including one with a $1,000 robot arm. The most common version involves a wall-mounted touchpad or a HomePod speaker with a touch display about the size of an iPad mini.

This device would have a FaceTime camera for video calls and presence sensors to initiate smart home routines.

HomePod mini 2

A new HomePod mini might also debut, but it might not be as big of an upgrade as the Hub. Most rumors suggest that it will feature a new chip and audio improvements. It will probably get new colors.

The HomePod mini 2 has been on our rumor radar since at least 2023. The current version debuted in 2020, and like the next device, is long overdue for an update.

Apple TV 4K 2026

Like the HomePod series, Apple hasn't released a new version of the Apple TV 4K since 2022. We're long overdue for an upgrade — even if it's only a more powerful chip for stronger performance.

Previously, it was suggested that a new Apple TV could feature the A17 Pro chip, but it's more likely it'll get the new A20 or, to save some money, last year's A19. The device should also get the rumored N2 chip for better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

Outside of chips, the big upgrade would be Siri AI, which could let you connect the Apple TV as a hub for smart devices. One rumor suggested that Apple might release a set-top box with a camera, which would allow for FaceTime calls and gesture-based controls.

However, a rumored refresh of the Apple TV has been making the rounds for multiple years now. I won't believe this one until it actually happens.

More from Tom's Guide

• I interviewed Apple CEO John Ternus on the making of the iPhone Duo — here's what made him say 'yes, that's it'
• People are freaking out about the new 'always-listening' Apple Watches — here's what Apple CEO John Ternus told us
• Apple Event recap — Hands-on with the iPhone Duo and all the big announcements

Calling it quits on my current smartphone and upgrading to a new one isn’t the kind of decision I make on a whim. Instead, it often amounts to months of research and then waiting for a sale before I finally pull the trigger. However, that wasn’t the case at all with the TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro.

Now, while I know the ins and outs of the best phones, I’m not the type of person to drop a large sum of money on a flagship device. Part of the reason for this is that I prefer to buy my phones outright instead of going through my mobile carrier. This is why I usually go with a mid-range phone over a more premium one.

In the past, I’ve been tempted by the best cheap phones, but one shortcoming or another always held me back. With the NXTPAPER 70 Pro, even though it does skimp out on some of my favorite, more premium features like wireless charging and a USB 3.0 port capable of video out, I was more than willing to leave my Nothing Phone (2) behind for it.

Ever since I first saw TCL’s NXTPAPER tech in person at a mall in Taiwan, I’ve been enamored by the matte, glare-free displays the company uses for it. After trying out the larger NXTPAPER 11 Plus and NXTPAPER 14 tablets, I figured it was time to try using this unique display tech as my daily driver — and I’m glad I did.

Here’s what it’s been like using the NXTPAPER 70 Pro for a month and why it will be especially hard going back to a phone with a glossy screen, even if it is more powerful.

A more refined NXTPAPER phone

Now I’ll admit, this wasn’t my first experience with one of TCL’s NXTPAPER phones. Alongside those two tablets, the company also sent over its 60 XE. However, while that phone did the job, it wasn’t nearly as polished as the 70 Pro.

Available in blue or gold, the 70 Pro feels much more premium in hand thanks to its subtle curves and slimmer, dual-camera array. On the right side, there’s a volume rocker, a power button with an integrated fingerprint scanner, and a dedicated NXTPAPER Key that works more like a toggle switch. While under-display fingerprint sensors are the norm these days, I absolutely love having one right on the device’s power button — the second I pick it up, I’ve already securely logged in.

On the bottom of the device, there’s a speaker grille on the left, a USB-C port of the slower USB 2.0 variety in the center with a microphone next to it, and a SIM card slot on the right. What’s nice about the SIM card slot is that it supports either dual SIM cards or, if you’re only using one, you can add a microSD card to expand the device’s storage capacity. Speaking of storage, the 70 Pro is available with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage. If you have the 128GB model like I do, it’s nice knowing you can easily add more storage later on.

Even though the 70 Pro is definitely a budget phone, it has one feature that you won’t find practically anywhere else anymore: an IR sensor. Although they were quite popular in the mid-2010s, Samsung decided to drop them and the rest of the industry followed suit. Personally, I was glad to see one on the 70 Pro, but I never thought I’d actually use it. Little did I know, it ended up being my second favorite feature after the screen — which, of course, is the star of the show.

Glare free, smooth scrolling

Just like on TCL’s NXTPAPER tablets I tested, with a toggle of the NXTPAPER Key on the lower right side, you can instantly transform its display. There are three modes to pick from: Color Paper Mode, Ink Paper Mode, and Max Ink Mode. Color Paper and Ink Paper give you the same functionality you normally have — albeit with either a slightly desaturated or black-and-white screen — while Max Ink Mode gives you an almost full e-reader-like experience while limiting you to just a handful of essential apps.

Even if you don’t decide to use one of these specialized display modes, the 70 Pro looks and feels unlike any other phone. While the iPhone 17 and Galaxy S26 have glossy and much more reflective screens, this one has a matte, glare-free panel that feels much smoother while scrolling. Another big benefit with the 70 Pro is outdoor use. Even on a bright, sunny summer day, I could clearly make out its screen. In fact, it looked almost vivid in those conditions compared to other phones.

TCL gives you an almost stock Android experience with a few small tweaks and some useful first-party apps. One small change I found particularly useful was the sidebar. If you swipe in from either side and hold, this brings up the sidebar, which you can customize to your liking. I decided to put all my smart home apps there to make it easier to quickly turn off the lights or pull up a live feed from one of my security cameras.

On the 70 Pro, there are also a number of pre-loaded wallpapers that really take advantage of its unique display too. Likewise, within the settings, instead of having to cycle through all the different NXTPAPER modes, you can set the toggle to immediately switch to your favorite one.

Speaking of which, I found Max Ink Mode to really come in handy when I was out and about. Not only did it extend the device’s battery life significantly — all the way up to 51 hours in the photo above — but by limiting which apps you can use, this also helped me avoid getting distracted by my phone. Phone calls and messages still come through, but you won’t find yourself endlessly scrolling on social media when there’s a lull in the conversation or while you’re waiting for a drink at the bar.

I really thought I would miss wireless charging a lot more than I did. However, as it turns out, just giving the device a quick charge every now and then kept my battery topped off. Even at the end of a long, phone-heavy day, I usually still had about 30% battery life left by the time I reached for my charger.

Now, I believe TCL sells the 70 Pro in a bundle with a case and a stylus in Europe. In the U.S., though, I just got the phone itself in the box. I was slightly disappointed at first, since scrolling with a stylus feels fantastic on TCL’s NXTPAPER tablets. As I wasn’t sure whether or not TCL’s styluses were device-specific, I decided to try the one that comes with the NXTPAPER 11 Plus on the 70 Pro. Much to my surprise, it worked perfectly — and while I didn’t have to pair anything via Bluetooth, I did have to toggle on "Stylus" in the phone’s settings menu.

A remote for (almost) all your devices

I finally decided to give the IR sensor a proper try towards the end of my month with the 70 Pro, and I’m so glad I did. You see, at first, I wasn’t able to add any of my devices simply because I didn’t look hard enough within the menus of TCL’s IR Remote app. For instance, I initially searched for my Roku Ultra under “Set-top box” without any luck, only to later find it tucked under “Netbox” after digging through the app's menus a bit more.

With the app open and your devices added, you just point the 70 Pro’s IR sensor at the device you want to control, tap on one of the on-screen buttons, and it does the rest. I can fully navigate and control my Roku Ultra as well as my Vizio soundbar. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to add my Vizio TV because I couldn’t find the right remote layout within the app. Likewise, I really wanted to control my Vornado tower fan, but that wasn’t one of the listed brands.

If your devices are supported, adding them is quite easy. After tapping on “Add a new device,” you select the category and you’re presented with a list of brands. There are quite a lot of options in each category, but fortunately, the most popular ones are listed right at the top. From there, you point the 70 Pro at the target device and try a few different power or play buttons to see if your hardware matches TCL’s database.

Even though I couldn’t map every single device in my home, having a universal remote right on my phone is genuinely useful. It’s a lifesaver for those times when you misplace your physical remote or when your kid decides to walk off with it — something that has happened to me on a few occasions recently.

Now, I wouldn’t buy the 70 Pro for the IR sensor alone. Instead, I see it as icing on the cake, given that the glare-free and smooth matte display — along with the integrated fingerprint scanner — remains my favorite thing about this phone overall.

Like paper in your pocket

Now that I’ve been using the NXTPAPER 70 Pro for over a month, I’m reluctant to switch back to my more powerful Nothing Phone (2) — which is starting to look a bit long in the tooth itself. While I am considering picking up one of the best camera phones for those times when I need to shoot pics for work but don’t want to bring my DSLR along, I feel almost spoiled by the 70 Pro’s display.

Sure, e-reader-like capabilities and reduced eye strain are its big selling points on paper. However, for me, I just love having a device I can actually see regardless of how bright the overhead sun is. At the same time, the feel of its matte display underneath my fingertips has completely won me over. A lot of people associate glossy screens with a premium feel, but I’ve been on a real matte kick recently after using TCL’s NXTPAPER tablets and reviewing Apple’s new Studio Display XDR with its nano-texture glass option.

Although the 70 Pro is a massive improvement over the 60 XE I tried out first, I’m hoping TCL takes things a step further next time around. Instead of just budget devices, I’d gladly pay more for a true flagship-style NXTPAPER phone — complete with a triple-camera array, fast USB 3.0 connectivity, and wireless charging. That way, I’d only need to carry one device with me wherever I go.

Overall, though, if you don’t want to drop a ton of cash on a flagship and are looking for something that looks and feels genuinely different, the NXTPAPER 70 Pro is certainly worth checking out — especially if, like me, you take a lot of photos of your phone screens for work.

More from Tom's Guide

• I shot the same 25 photos with a $329 budget phone and $1,199 flagship — here's the results
• The TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro's stylus just fixed an issue I never knew I had with handwriting digital notes
• I spent a week with dual Apple Studio Displays and realized I’ve been lying to myself about glossy screens for years

Over the weekend, Amazon quietly raised prices for nearly all of the devices the company makes, including the Echo Dot, Kindle Paperwhite and Fire TV Stick HD. It's the latest in a series of price increases that have hit nearly every company. You can guess what's to blame.

Amazon's new prices vary in amount, with at least one device seeing a 60% increase; the company cited the ongoing RAM crisis and component inflation. First spotted by Fortune, some of the company's cheaper devices appear to be the most affected.

Here's what the new prices look like:

The Echo Dot saw the largest increase up 60% and $30, from $49 to $79, while the higher-tier Echo Show 11 is also getting a $30 hike from $219 to $249.

Additionally, the 16GB Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite saw hikes, going from $109 to $149 and $159 to $199, respectively. The Fire TV Stick HD only saw a $5 hike from $34 to $39 and the 4K Max rose from $59 to $84.

Surprisingly, the Amazon-owned Ring lineup of doorbells and security cameras didn't get more expensive.

An Amazon spokesperson told Tom's Guide, "After absorbing these increases for as long as we could, we recently adjusted pricing across our product lines." She noted that "significant" increases in memory and component costs led to the decision.

Still a cheaper option

In some cases, despite the price hikes, Amazon's devices might still be the cheaper option. Unfortunately, that's because everything else also got more expensive this year.

In July, Roku bumped prices on its streaming devices, with the Roku hitting $150 and the entry-level Roku Streaming Stick now at $40, up from $30.

Kindles might be more expensive than similar rival options like the Nook GlowLight 4, which comes with 32GB of memory for $149.

The Echo Dot, though, remains cheaper than the Google Home Speaker, which starts at $99, though the gap is only $20 now.

Amazon Devices: Outlook

At the moment, only the Fire tablets seem to be unaffected — in fact, they’re the only devices currently on sale, but this could be due largely to the fact that it’s back to school season.

For years, Amazon’s Echo smart home speakers have been the company’s trojan horse to get its voice assistant in homes across the world. Given that Alexa+ is available on virtually every Amazon Echo device, the company may have calculated that it’s saturated the market enough so that adoption of Alexa+ wouldn’t be affected by any potential loss in sales.

Still, the timing is curious, as the company also announced last week that Alexa+ would be available, free of charge, to its newest Fire TV devices. That means if you have a current-generation Amazon Fire TV Stick, the Fire TV Cube, or Amazon Ember smart TV, you can get the full version of Amazon’s AI-enabled assistant without needing a Prime account, or paying $19.99 per month.

Regardless of whether you want Alexa+, more than ever it’s worth waiting until Black Friday or Prime Day to purchase one of Amazon’s devices (sadly, the new sale price may be the old regular price). If you don’t want to wait that long, some third-party retailers are still offering the original price. For example, you can still find the Amazon Echo Dot for $49 at Target and Home Depot.

More from Tom's Guide

• My 12-year-old noticed a missing Amazon shopping feature — so I tried to build it with AI
• 9 best Amazon Prime perks you're paying for but probably not using
• Amazon has a hidden button that connects you with a real customer service agent — here's where to find it

Let’s be honest: between soaring memory prices and the endless barrage of tech buzzwords, building the ultimate setup in 2026 hasn't been easy. But amidst the chaos, hardware makers gave us some of the most genuinely exciting, boundary-pushing gear we’ve seen in a decade.

This year, "compromise" became a dirty word. Laptops gained dual OLED screens without losing all-day battery life, budget peripherals delivered soundscapes usually reserved for four-figure studio setups, and on-device processing finally evolved from a gimmick into everyday horsepower.

We sifted through the noise, ran hundreds of lab benchmarks, and tested dozens of contenders to death. Here are the 22 standout winners that earned a permanent place on our desks for the 2026 Tom’s Guide Computing Awards.

Laptops

Dell XPS 13

The Dell XPS 13 is a true MacBook Neo rival and easily the best budget laptop you can buy right now. Despite its low $699 starting price, it doesn’t skimp on luxury features you’d find on more expensive laptops, giving you quality with few compromises.

The thin, light aluminum chassis not only looks great, but it also makes the XPS 13 ideal for travel. The sharp 13.4-inch 2K touch display is bright and colorful, while the Intel Wildcat Lake chip inside gives you plenty of performance for everyday work. And if that wasn’t enough, it has more than enough battery life to last you for a full workday. — Tony Polanco, Senior Writer

Asus Zenbook Duo (2026)

Dual-screen laptops have always been a bit gimmicky to me, but this year’s Asus Zenbook Duo proved me dead wrong with its potent combination of two mesmerizing 14-inch OLED panels and the raw performance of Intel’s breakthrough Core Ultra X9 388H chipset.

It all starts with a ground-up ceraluminum redesign for the double display system that feels premium to the touch and sturdier against the elements. Throw in a CPU that has the power of a supercar paired with the efficiency of a Toyota Prius (you can actually game on this thing, and it has a 14-hour battery life), and it’s easily one of my favorite laptops of the year. — Jason England, Managing Editor of Core Tech

Acer Predator Helios 18 AI

But what about in the gaming laptop space? There’s been a whole lot of monsters born this year, and Acer’s Predator Helios 18 AI definitely sits in that portable desktop replacement camp with what’s lying under the hood (up to an RTX 5090) and the massive wattage being pumped through to the chip.

Combine that with a gorgeously massive and buttery-smooth mini-LED panel, up to 192GB of RAM (in this economy!?) and a strong keyboard typing experience with plenty of ports, and you’ve got quite a winning formula. — Jason England, Managing Editor of Core Tech

Razer Blade 16 (2026)

The Razer Blade 16 (2026) is an ultraportable gaming laptop that makes no compromises. Thanks to its powerful components, it can run even the most demanding PC games at buttery-smooth frame rates. The vivid 16-inch OLED panel ensures all those games are a sight to behold.

The sleek design, with its sturdy, CNC-milled, all-black aluminum chassis, means this laptop will look just as great in the office as it is in your gaming den. Of course, RGB lighting on the keyboard deck shows the Blade 16 knows how to have fun. Though certainly pricey at $3,599 (to start), this is one of the finest gaming laptops I’ve reviewed and is worth your hard-earned cash. — Tony Polanco, Senior Writer

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514

When MediaTek jumped into the Chromebook pool with its Kompanio Ultra ARM silicon, it was like Google’s laptops got a shot in the…well, arm. And of all the options released, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 stands out as one of the most impressive.

Because it’s not just about the performance and power efficiency (almost 15 hours of battery life on one charge) or AI-infused simplicity of a Gemini-boosted Chrome OS. It’s about the experience you build around them, and this OLED 2-in-1 is one of the nicest-feeling Chromebooks I’ve touched. — Jason England, Managing Editor of Core Tech

Tablets

Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2

The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 is an entertainment-focused Android tablet that has the largest speaker I’ve ever seen. The JBL speaker is so large, you could even say it’s a speaker with a tablet attached, rather than the other way around. And it’s not for show either, as it delivers punchy, bassy sound you can feel in your chest. You can even use it as a Bluetooth speaker, which adds versatility.

The 12.1-inch IPS display is bright and colorful, making whatever you’re watching look its best. The 16:9 aspect ratio is great for videos, and it also works well for comic books and websites in vertical mode. There’s also a handy built-in kickstand when you want to sit back and relax at your desk. Though its performance isn’t the best for getting work done and it's too heavy to hold for long periods, the incredible sound and overall ease of use make this $399 tablet an easy recommendation. — Tony Polanco, Senior Writer

Desktops

Alienware Area-51 Desktop

The Alienware Area-51 is for hardcore users willing to pay top dollar for premium gaming performance. Aside from AMD Ryzen X3D processor options, this is effectively the same PC I reviewed last year. That’s not a bad thing, as this is still a phenomenal PC.

You can configure this beast with up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 GPU, 4TB of storage, and 64GB of RAM. You can also kit it out with an Intel Core Ultra 200S chip if you’re Team Blue. All of it is housed in an otherworldly design that keeps the PC running cool and quiet. If you have the space for it in your office or gaming den, this is the ultimate gaming PC. — Tony Polanco, Senior Writer

Lenovo Yoga Mini

The Lenovo Yoga Mini breaks free from the rectangular design of other mini PCs, adding cool extras like RGB underglow and touch controls. This circular mini PC is meant to sit front and center on your desk, and it looks absolutely stunning.

Despite its smaller size and unique shape, the Yoga Mini is equipped with Intel’s latest Ultra X5 and X7 chips to handle whatever you throw at it. Lenovo didn’t skimp on ports either, and you also get an integrated fingerprint scanner in the power button for secure and seamless logins. If you’re after a small yet unique mini PC that stands out from the crowd, this is one of the most impressive machines and designs I’ve seen yet. — Anthony Spadafora, Managing Editor

Asus ROG G1000

So I’ll just say it upfront — Asus has created a monster that’s not just designed to be played, but to be seen as well. This is a monolithic pre-built tower that packs a whole bunch of flash courtesy of that holographic fan giving it a real stage presence atop your desk.

This is what happens when a company throws out the game plan and decides to do something a bit bonkers. Under the hood, you can spec it up to an AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2, an RTX 5090, a whopping 128GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 4TB SSD — complete with a 1,000-watt power supply keeping it all going. Top it off with some real cooling innovation with that Tri-zone airflow design, and this beast won’t break a sweat. — Jason England, Managing Editor of Core Tech

Khadas Mind Pro

Khadas continues to build on its modular mini PC ecosystem with its new Mind Pro. Although this portable mini PC packs in more power than ever before, it’s not that much larger than the original Mind or the Mind 2S. Likewise, thanks to Khadas’ proprietary Mind Connector on the bottom, it’s still compatible with the company’s existing docks, which instantly transform its mini PCs into a gaming rig or even a laptop.

The Mind Pro may be small, but like its predecessors, it still comes packed with full-sized ports, including dual Thunderbolt 4 ports. There’s also a 7.98Wh battery inside that lets this more powerful mini PC sleep for over 48 hours, so you can bring it from one workstation or location to another. The Mind Pro’s extra thickness over the Mind is certainly worth it if you want even more power in a similar form factor with a growing ecosystem of game-changing accessories. — Anthony Spadafora, Managing Editor

Monitors

MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36

MSI knows how to make a great gaming monitor, and the MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 is one of its best so far — and certainly the best this year. A blistering 360Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time deliver buttery-smooth gameplay.

The monitor also boasts phenomenal color coverage and accuracy, making it ideal not just for gaming, but for professional color grading and editing too. The X36 also features an AI Care Sensor that automatically alters the monitor’s display settings by detecting a human in front of it — yes, AI isn’t just a gimmick on the X36. — Nikita Achanta, Senior Reviews Writer

Alienware 27 240Hz QD-OLED Gaming Monitor (AW2726DM)

The Alienware AW2726DM is a premium gaming monitor that costs less than you’d expect. For $349, you get a gorgeous 27-inch 1440p OLED panel that makes everything look its best, a blazing-fast 240Hz refresh rate, and a low 0.03ms response time that can keep up with even the fastest-paced games.

The biggest compliment I can give the AW2726DM is that it has become my main monitor at work, proving that it’s not just good for gaming, as text on websites and documents appears nice and crisp. While HDR brightness could be brighter, and the design is very basic, lacking embellishments like RGB, this is a wonderful gaming monitor that won’t kill your bank account. — Tony Polanco, Senior Writer

Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G8 G80HS

The Samsung Odyssey 32-inch G8 G80HS is a marvel to behold thanks to its super-sharp 6K resolution, which is a first for gaming monitors, according to Samsung. It offers the most detailed picture quality I’ve ever seen. Trust me when I say that your eyes won’t be disappointed.

In addition to 6K at 165Hz, you can also switch to 3K mode at 330Hz for fast-paced competitive games. If you have a powerful PC that can play games at frame rates high enough to match that refresh rate, you’re in for a silky smooth and fast experience. While certainly pricey at its usual $1,599 asking price, you’re getting your money’s worth for visual fidelity and performance. — Tony Polanco, Senior Writer

Audio

Edifier HECATE G2000 Pro

Excellent sound quality? On a sub-$200 budget? The Edifier G2000 Pro desktop speakers look straight out of a sci-fi movie, and they’ve got otherworldly sound quality to boot. The reactive RGB lighting dances to in-game sounds and the beat of drums when listening to music.

The G2000 Pro packs plenty of oomph, delivering deep, meaty bass that makes you feel immersed in RPGs, horror, and racing titles. The treble is bright and crisp, so you can hear the clashing of swords in excruciating detail — and it never becomes fatiguing. In-game dialogue is loud and clear, too, making the G2000 Pro one of the best computer speakers out there. — Nikita Achanta, Senior Reviews Writer

Edifier HECATE G5 Max

The Edifier G5 Max makes you feel like the main character without breaking the bank. Equipped with a 53mm dynamic driver, 7.1.4 Spatial Audio co-developed by Hecate and THX, and an extremely comfortable design, the G5 Max also supports Hi-Res Audio streaming.

Chock-full of features usually reserved for premium prices, the G5 Max goes the extra mile by offering dual apps for customization. It is, by far, the best gaming headset for those on a budget. — Nikita Achanta, Senior Reviews Writer

Sony Inzone H6 Air

The Sony Inzone H6 Air proves that gaming headsets can be just as good for listening to music. Equipped with 40mm studio-grade drivers found in Sony’s monitoring headphones, the H6 Air is the ideal headset for audiophiles and gamers who want an immersive experience.

Whether you’re taking in the sights and sounds in open-world RPGs or infiltrating enemy bases in FPS titles, the H6 Air ensures you hear every soft footstep and loud explosion. Its open-back design offers superior comfort for all-day wear, and it comes with a detachable boom mic that makes you sound loud and clear. The H6 Air is the one headset to rule them all. — Nikita Achanta, Senior Reviews Writer

Components

Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus

Intel’s been on a bit of a comeback tour this year, and the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is a highlight of its return to form. By focusing on the fundamentals and righting the wrongs of its previous “Arrow Lake” generation, Intel’s created something special (and well-priced) for your machine.

The productivity chops are still here — staying miles ahead of AMD in terms of getting stuff done. But with critical improvements to its gaming performance by speeding up the travel time for data inside the chip and offering performance packages, these vastly cheaper chips get uncomfortably close in potential to Team Red’s pricey X3D CPUs. — Jason England, Managing Editor of Core Tech

AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE

GPU pricing has become a bit of a running joke in 2026, but amid huge price increases, AMD has managed to hold down the fort, with the nicely powerful Radeon RX 9070 GRE staying (or even below) its MSRP.

Built atop AMD’s RDNA 4 architecture to support all that FSR Redstone goodness, this is a fantastic 1440p GPU that offers decent ray tracing performance, strong frame rates, and real value for money. It may not be the best for productivity, but if you want bang for your buck in gaming, this is solid. — Jason England, Managing Editor of Core Tech

Intel Arc G3 Extreme

It’s a double win for Intel in the components category, as the Arc G3 Extreme in the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ delivers the next-generation breakthrough for gaming handhelds we’ve been waiting for.

Taking that monster integrated GPU from the Panther Lake laptop chips and stuffing it into a handheld (XeSS 3 multi-frame generation and all) has led to a giant leap not just in frames per second, but in power efficiency too. With just over four hours of battery life on one charge in our gaming testing, and the ability to play games on a 4K screen with ease, this is a phenomenal chip. — Jason England, Managing Editor of Core Tech

Accessories and peripherals

Tessan Voyager 205

One thing that’s become an increasingly difficult task on my travels is keeping everything powered. The USB-C port demands can create a Frankenstein combination of travel adaptors all over my hotel room, but the Tessan Voyager 205 has the international compatibility and raw wattage to charge every single thing in my arsenal.

With three USB-C ports at 45W, three USB-C ports at 160W, USB-A, and a plug adaptor to plug something else in to make the most of that 205W output, this is a compact beast of a charger that keeps everything topped up with ease. — Jason England, Managing Editor of Core Tech

Satechi Mac Mini M4 Stand & Hub with SSD Enclosure

Satechi has long made some of the best Apple accessories, and its Mac Mini M4 Stand & Hub is the first accessory I’d pick up for Cupertino’s latest mini PC. Thanks to its anodized aluminum finish and dimensions, it complements the Mac mini M4 perfectly while giving you easy access to the device’s power button with a handy cutout on the back.

With Satechi’s Mac Mini M4 Stand & Hub, you can instantly add three USB-A ports and an SD card reader to your Mac, but that’s not all it can do. There’s also a free M.2 slot on the underside which lets you expand your Mac mini’s storage by up to 4TB. Whether you want to beat the Apple Tax on storage or add extra ports to your Mac mini M4, this accessory is easy to recommend. — Anthony Spadafora, Managing Editor

Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro

Few keyboards are “designed for audiophiles,” but the Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro is, and it’s the best-sounding mechanical keyboard I’ve ever tested. Its Kailh Cocoa switches, five layers of sound-dampening foam, and double-shot PBT keycaps come together to create a raindrop-like sound profile that’s gobsmackingly fantastic.

Plus, the Rainy 75 Pro is an absolute beast for productivity, thanks to its ultra-responsive switches and up to 900 hours of battery life. Its full CNC-machined aluminum construction also means the keyboard can stand the test of time. There really is no better deck for hardcore typists (and fans of a thocky sound). — Nikita Achanta, Senior Reviews Writer

If you’re reading this, then you’re considering whether it’s beneficial to get your kid a tablet for schoolwork. That’s reasonable. The best tablets are lighter than most laptops, can cost less than many Chromebooks, and students already know how to use them. The appeal is pretty evident.

That said, a tablet isn’t just a small computer. It’s a distinct device with its own strengths and limitations for schoolwork. If you’re deciding whether a tablet makes sense for your child this year, you need a clear picture of both sides before you hit buy.

I’ve reviewed dozens of tablets over the years and have spent a lot of time testing whether certain models (like the iPad Pro) can realistically replace a laptop. The answers aren’t always cut and dry, but I have a solid sense of when a tablet works for schoolwork and when it falls short.

Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of using a tablet for school to help you make the right call.

Tablets for school: The pros

A tablet’s form factor is hard to beat. Most students can toss an iPad or mid-range Android tablet into a backpack without thinking twice because they’re so thin and light. Better options last a full school day on a charge, and they’re ready the second you take them out of rest mode or open the case. That lower friction is especially helpful for younger students.

Tablets are also strong for more visual, interactive schoolwork. Reading digital textbooks, annotating PDFs with a stylus, watching short instructional videos, and using educational apps all feel natural on a tablet. Many schools already deliver content through Google Classroom or similar platforms that work cleanly with tablets. If your kid needs to sketch, snap photos of notes, or complete interactive worksheets, a tablet with a decent stylus can feel more intuitive than a traditional laptop.

Cost is another factor. A solid mid-range tablet paired with a keyboard case can sometimes be cheaper than a budget laptop, and there’s generally less to break or keep updated. For a student who mainly needs a device for reading, research, light writing, and school apps, a tablet can cover a lot of ground without the extra complexity of a full computer.

If you've already decided to get a tablet for back-to-school, here are some options I recommend.

Tablets for school: The cons

While tablets can work well for school, they come with some serious drawbacks.

Serious tasks like writing longer papers, building spreadsheets, coding, or juggling multiple apps are still noticeably harder on a tablet than on a laptop. Even with a keyboard attached, multitasking and file management often feel limited. If your child’s schoolwork involves a lot of writing or switching between documents, a tablet can slow them down.

You’ll also need to account for the cost of peripherals if you want real school use out of the tablet. Something like Apple’s Magic Keyboard makes typing far more comfortable than the on-screen keyboard, and keeps an iPad protected from accidental drops. A stylus isn’t always essential, but it can be if your child takes notes by hand or does any drawing. The cost of these peripherals can erase the tablet’s initial price advantage.

Not every school’s software or testing platform plays nicely with tablets, either. Some require specific browsers or extensions that work more reliably on a laptop. If your kid’s school leans heavily on certain tools, a tablet can create more headaches than it solves.

Finally, distraction is a bigger issue on a tablet. It’s much easier for a student to fire up a game, fall into YouTube, or get lost on social media instead of finishing homework or getting to bed on time. Those same temptations exist on laptops, but the tablet form factor makes them easier to slip into.

If these cons are a deal-breaker, here are two excellent and budget-friendly laptops I suggest you get for your kid instead.

Bottom line

A tablet can be a fantastic tool for schoolwork, but only if it matches how your kid works and what their school expects.

For younger children focused on reading, interactive lessons, and lighter assignments, a tablet is often the better fit. For older students handling longer writing, research projects, or heavier software, a proper laptop is usually the smarter daily driver. Solid options in that category that I recommend include the Dell XPS 13 or MacBook Neo, both of which currently start at $699.

If you decide to go the tablet route, pair it with a good keyboard case, enable strong parental controls, and set clear rules about when it’s a school device versus a fun distraction. This keeps the advantages while limiting the downsides.

More from Tom's Guide

• Dell XPS 13 vs. MacBook Neo: Which $699 laptop is right for you?
• 12 essential back-to-school laptop accessories under $50 I recommend
• I tested the new Dell XPS 13 for two weeks — here's 3 things I love (and 1 I hate)

I’ve reviewed dozens of the best tablets over the years, and the one thing they almost always have in common is less-than-ideal speaker quality. While the best iPads tend to produce great sound, their speakers can’t compete even with built-in TV speakers. Perhaps that's why Lenovo decided to slap a giant speaker on its Tab Plus Gen 2 to buck this trend.

I’m currently testing the Tab Plus Gen 2 and will have a full review for you soon. But I wanted to write a dedicated piece on the tablet’s sound since it’s so darn impressive. Whether it’s ear-scorching heavy metal or your favorite podcast, everything sounds fantastic on this tablet thanks to its enormous JBL speaker and its various sound settings.

If you’re like me and are generally disappointed by tablet speakers, then the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 will be literal music to your ears. Let me tell you why.

Speaker tech

The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 features a JBL 9-Unit Pro speaker system, tuned by Dolby Atmos. That 9 isn’t superfluous, as it’s exactly how many speakers this thing packs.

To be specific, this includes four tweeters, three woofers, and two passive radiators. The latter two allow the speaker to produce truly deep bass, while the tweeters handle higher-frequency sounds. Combined, they deliver exceptional audio quality for a tablet.

My initial experience

I decided to go into the deep end right from the start by firing up Amon Amarth’s “We Rule the Waves” to see how the speakers handled melodic death metal at max volume. While the bass was punchy and the overall sound was room-filling, I wasn’t impressed by the thin midrange. This is a demanding genre even for a good speaker system, so I initially chalked it up to that.

Next, I fired up Lion’s “Transformers” from the legendary (and childhood trauma-inducing) 1986 film. This song sounded better than the Amon Amarth track since everything came through evenly and punchy. 80s songs also aren’t nearly as compressed as modern songs, which also helps.

After that, I watched an episode of the The Comics Pals on YouTube and was equally stunned by how natural the dialogue sounded. All the panelists came through clearly, even if some had better microphones than others. I also liked how well the speaker handled the dialogue and music in the latest Avengers: Doomsday trailer, making everything sound appropriately cinematic.

I was already impressed by the out-of-the-box sound experience, but then I realized you could select different sound profiles within settings. This is when I went from impressed to having my mind (or my ears) completely blown.

Optimized sound

The Dolby Atmos sub-menu is where you can get the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 to sound its absolute best. There are three presets: Dynamic, which identifies the content and automatically adjusts for the best sound; Movie, which provides surround sound and clearer dialogue; and Music, which delivers detailed audio so every note and beat sounds punchy. Music also has its own presets: Detailed, Balanced, and Warm, along with a manual equalizer.

Listening to the aforementioned songs with the Music preset enabled makes a world of difference, as everything from the highs and mids to the lows packs an appropriate amount of power and bass.

For Amon Amarth specifically, the Warm preset in Music helps the guttural vocals stand out more. The Transformers track sounded fantastic and made me even more stoked to see the 40th-anniversary screening next month!

As you’d expect, Movie mode is perfect for movies, TV shows, and trailers. For instance, I felt like I was in the theater when I fired up the Doomsday trailer again. Dialogue-focused videos also sound fantastic in Movie mode, though I found the sound was a tad richer and fuller in Music mode.

I didn’t mess around too much with the equalizer settings, as I’m no audio engineer. But I like that this option exists for the true audiophiles out there. While the Dynamic preset is decent enough, its mid-range is too thin to my liking. The Movie and Music presets are the best bet for nearly all the content you’ll be engaging with on this tablet.

Music to my ears

If you’re looking for a tablet with phenomenal speaker quality, you can’t do much better than the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2. While that giant speaker looks somewhat awkward and makes the slate heavy to hold, it excels at what it's designed for. The out-of-the-box sound is pretty impressive, but it can sound way better with some minor fiddling.

There’s more to discuss about this entertainment-focused Android tablet, such as its display quality, performance, battery life, and more, so stay tuned for that. But if you found what I said interesting, then don’t hesitate to check out this tablet, especially since it’s pretty affordable at $299. Trust me, your ears will thank you!

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This week Apple released macOS version 26.7, and apparently hidden in the code are references to multiple unreleased Apple devices that all could launch in the coming months.

In total, the apparent accidental leaks reveal at least 14 products, including AirPods with cameras, the expected foldable iPhone Ultra, new OLED models of the MacBook and iPad mini and a next-generation Apple TV. The leak was discovered by Aaron Perris of MacRumors.

For many of these devices, the best we can note from the code is that they exist or will exist at some point. But it does give us an idea of what Apple could be working on and what's next.

Here's the full list for now:

• Apple Home Hub
• HomePod mini 3
• Apple Security Camera
• Home Accessory
• iPhone Air 2
• iPhone 18 Pro
• iPhone 18 Pro Max
• iPhone 18
• iPhone Ultra
• MacBook Pro 14” M6
• iMac M6
• MacBook Pro OLED touchscreen
• iPad mini OLED
• AirPod Ultra (with camera)
• Beats headphones

With Apple's annual iPhone event around the corner, we're expecting a majority of that list to be announced next month. That includes the iPhone 18 Pro models, the iPhone Ultra, and the AirPods Ultra with cameras that were revealed in a leaked video this week.

The leaked code doesn't appear to have release dates, not that it would. With that in mind, of the devices on the list, the base model iPhone 18 and super-thin iPhone Air 2 likely won't debut until next spring with Apple's rumored split launch.

There are two interesting reveals in the OLED devices and the suite of smart home devices.

OLED MacBook and iPad mini

Apple doesn't release MacBooks until later in the fall, typically in mid-October. The most recent leaks have suggested that Apple will add the MacBook to its burgeoning "Ultra" line.

The Apple MacBook Ultra is supposed to debut this year with an OLED touchscreen panel and the M6 chipset. The OLED panel and touchscreen would be among three firsts for Apple laptops, including a new iPhone-esque Dynamic Island. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has suggested that it will also get a redesign, though he declined to elaborate on what Apple is changing.

As for the iPad mini, the OLED redesign has been rumored for a couple of years, but recent rumors have settled on an October debut. The big change is the screen, but it should also feature a faster chip. So far, rumors haven't revealed any other changes.

Apple's Smart Home ambitions

Since Apple revealed Apple Intelligence in 2024, rumors about an AI-boosted suite of smart home devices have been repeatedly leaked, though the delay of Siri 2.0 seemingly kept getting in the way.

It's being built around a new version of the Apple HomePod. Per MacRumors, this code leak potentially revealed two versions of the HomePod: one that mounts on the wall and one with a built-in base that may or may not be a speaker with essentially an iPad on it.

One of the code names, "B525" apparently refers to what may be the HomePod mini 2, as the current version had a B520 codename.

The Apple Security Camera is both a surprise since it hasn't really been revealed previously, but also not that shocking. At WWDC 2026, Apple announced an upgrade to Apple Home Secure Video that adds AI for natural language search, detailed video descriptions and more. Apple is clearly thinking about security cameras.

The other interesting reference is to something labeled Pebble, which may be a smart home OS that we had previously seen codenamed as "Charismatic."

New Apple TV 4K and Siri remote

The one I'm most curious about is the long-rumored next-generation Apple TV 4K set-top streaming box Apparently, the code reveals a new, upgraded Siri remote too.

The code doesn't reveal any changes, but it seems to suggest that an Apple TV update is coming after years of rumors. Some rumors have suggested the new streaming box could have a camera for FaceTime calls.

Otherwise, we're mostly expecting internal upgrades with the rumored N2 chip for better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and at the very least the A17 Pro chip, though I expect something higher at this point.

We'll be tracking all of these potential devices in the coming months, with the iPhone lineup the first to hit in September.

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• I found the 15 best Apple deals in Best Buy's massive 60th Anniversary sale — AirPods, Apple Watches, MacBooks and more
• iPhone Ultra leakers reveal new details around release and 'extremely limited' availability

Today Apple announced its new leasing program, Apple Upgrade which is undergirded by Klarna for iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad.

The program lets customers sign up for a plan, similar to how you would lease a car, for fixed 12-, 24- and 36-month terms depending on the device. There are options to upgrade to a new device early or return it at the end of the lease.

Apple called the new plan a "more flexible way to pay for products."

It's possible this does offer some flexibility from paying an upfront lump sum or tying yourself to an onerous contract via a network carrier like Verizon or T-Mobile.

However, experts I spoke with think the Upgrade plan is meant to cover rising component costs.

"By shifting the focus to lower monthly payments, it helps mask the effect of rising hardware costs and makes premium devices feel more affordable and attainable for a broader range of consumers," Jitesh Ubrani, a director at IDC, said.

They added that it could entice people who don't want to pay the higher upfront costs, as even Apple has hiked prices recently. It also gives Apple a "steady stream of trade-ins" that the company can resell to expand its customer base.

"Many people are effectively leasing their phones already through carrier plans; leasing a watch or a Mac -- when you know that these are also devices that have upgrade cycles -- can make sense," Techsponential's Avi Greengart told Tom's Guide. "it's still a lease, so you won't be able to use it until it dies unless you buy out the lease, and it may not be the absolute most economical approach."

Beyond upfront prices, is Apple Upgrade better for you? Let's take a look at how the program works.

How Apple Upgrade works

Apple Upgrade offers 12- or 24-month lease terms for eligible iPhones and Apple Watches. For those seeking a Mac or iPad, there are 24- or 36-month options.

Prices start as low as $11.99 per month for the Apple Watch and iPad, depending on size and storage capacity. iPhones start at $17.99, while Macs can be leased starting at $24.99 a month.

You can sign up online or at an Apple Store, where you will be approved by Klarna, which does require a soft credit check that should not impact your credit score.

At the end of the lease term, you can return the device or upgrade to a newer generation or purchase it with a one-time payment.

Compared to the outgoing iPhone Upgrade program, the Apple Upgrade Program does not include AppleCare, which is a separate subscription price and varies in price depending on your device.

Per MacRumors, if you miss a payment, it will be rolled into the next month's payment with no late fees. However, if you miss three consecutive payments, the lease will end, and you will have to pay the full outstanding balance, minus the value of the device when returned. If Klarna can't collect, a debt collection agency will be sent your information.

Apple Upgrade prices

Apple is offering the entire iPhone 17 lineup, plus the iPhone Air, both the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 and three iPad options, including the iPad Air, iPad Pro and iPad mini.

For Macs, you can lease the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac and Mac Studio.

Apple defaults to the 24-month leasing option, so we'll share that. The other options can lower or raise your price. Additionally, higher storage capacity or chip versions will also increase the monthly price.

Finally, the price does not include taxes and fees.

Here's how much the base model of each device will cost you.

We've separated the iPads and Macs out because these devices can have the longer 36-month term. Again, the prices below are for the base model of each device and the 24-month term.

No leasing entry-level devices

You may have noticed several Apple devices aren't eligible for the upgrade program. It includes the vanilla iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, as well as the entry-level models of almost every device category.

Here's the full list of Apple products you can't lease:

• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16 Plus
• Apple Watch SE
• MacBook Neo
• Mac mini
• iPad (A16)
• Studio Display

Availability

Apple Upgrade is available now for all of the listed devices. Apple says that a security deposit is not required and that a trade-in device could reduce monthly payments.

I will note that if you end a lease early, you could see termination fees. Also, if you don't do anything at the end of the lease, you'll be charged the purchase fee.

Lastly, hidden in the fine print, upgrading a device could increase your monthly payments, which is true for both higher-capacity versions of devices and more expensive models when new generations launch in the coming years.

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• We asked 368 people what they want from the Apple Watch Ultra 4. Here’s the resounding answer (and it’s not AI)
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“It’s been a while since I properly sat down and read a book.” A sentence I said, and probably many of you have uttered in the age of short-form content. With the $419 Boox Go 10.3 Gen II and 25,000 miles worth of flights in two weeks, I’ve got the chance to lose myself in many good reads.

Did this e-reader hold up to the Kindle Scribe? Kind of — it depends on what your priorities are. If it’s a high-quality reading experience, Boox is the way to go.

The screen has fantastic sharpness and contrast that makes the text pop off the screen; the soft, evenly spread backlighting makes it easier on the eyes for late-night reading.

But more than that, this tablet runs Android 15, which, beyond the Play Store’s selection of reading apps, makes it far more open to different eBook file formats. Way more open than you’d find on any Kindle! Throw in stellar battery life, and you’re onto a winner.

However, if you really want to take advantage of all that note-taking capability, that’s where the Kindle wins out. Not to say the Boox doesn’t allow you to doodle — there’s a stylus and a touchscreen, after all. But the supplied pen tip feels a little awkward to drag across the screen, and the slight latency, paired with ghosting when taking notes, can create a disconnect between your hand and the paper that your brain takes a beat to process.

So it very much depends on what your goals are with an e-reader like this. For me, someone who leans more toward reading with a casual side order of jotting things down, the Boox is more than enough and a global daily driver I was happy to have in my daily carry.

Boox Go 10.3 Gen II: Cheat sheet

• What is it? This is an e-reader/notetaking tablet hybrid.
• Who is it for? This one's for the bookworms and daily jotters/doodlers.
• What does it cost? The standard model without a backlight costs $419, and you'll pay an extra $30 for the Lumi model with illuminated screen.
• What do we like? This is a featherweight, premium-feeling ereader in the hand with a great battery life, super sharp display with even backlighting, and Android 15 gives you a far more open experience than you'd find on a Kindle.
• What don't we like? The writing experience isn't quite as good as you'd find on the Scribe, and that internal power can be a little slow to open apps and books.

Boox Go 10.3 Gen II: Specs

Boox Go 10.3 Gen II: The ups

The first leg was a big one — Heathrow to Taipei. Keeping yourself entertained with a short attention span is tricky, but popping open a good book on the Boox seemed to be the key to watching the hours fly by.

A good-looking read

Let’s start with the hardware, which feels great in the hand thanks to its metallic construction and that nicely textured fabric case. At around 360g and 4.6mm thin, it’s a featherweight with evenly distributed weight across its body. And yet, it still feels durable enough to be stashed in an airplane seatback pocket or chucked into your backpack.

Throw in the longevity of that 3,700 mAh cell giving me a full week of use easily, and it’s a worry-free device from most angles.

Display looks like a page of a book

Now for the display. That 10.3-inch monochrome panel sports 300 pixels-per-inch, which really brings out the crispness of text in whatever you’re reading. Throw in a decently deep contrast ratio, too, and that brings real definition to each character on that page or image in a web article.

And when the refresh rate needs to be upped for things like web browsing or drawing, it does so at a respectable rate. It may not be LCD or OLED levels of fluid, but it's fluid enough for the essentials.

Quality-wise, this is up there with what the Kindle Scribe can provide — especially when you loop in that nice even Lumi backlighting. It sucks that you’ve got to pay an additional $50 for this feature, but for those bookworm night owls or those on long-haul flights, that glow is just right.

Android 15 opens the door

Let’s be real — books aren’t the only thing you want to read on an e-reader. There are also textbooks, short stories, PDFs, web articles, and more. On top of that, all of these different types of reading can come in all sorts of file formats.

On a Kindle, you can absolutely find backdoors to force files onto it, but in general, you’re locked down to Kindle books for reading and a few very specific avenues. However, the Boox is running Android 15 in all its glory.

That means the Play Store for different reading/content consumption apps. But most importantly, that means compatibility with pretty much every file format for text and image. The Boox software is a cinch to use, so you can easily upload a file to your reader via a desktop browser.

It was a dream scenario to upload all of my press releases ahead of Computex 2026 and circle the key points with my pencil — all on the same device I could tuck into Lord of the Rings or read the latest longform reporting or biographies too.

Boox Go 10.3 Gen II: The downs

Juicing it back up to full, it was time for my next two big flights — one over the Pacific to LAX, and a final hop back to London. Reflecting on my time doodling notes, reading away and browsing Android on this slate, I did remind myself of a couple of key frustrations.

A bit sluggish

Inside, you’ve got an octa-core CPU running at 2.4GHz with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, which is just enough to avoid too many problems.

However, it can be slow on startup, and if you try to stretch it to app downloads (thanks to Android 15), you may run into some issues and slowdowns. Especially on startup, rendering the book or opening anything takes a short while, and it seems to chug into gear.

Once it's all warmed up, responsiveness does come back, but in the clutch moments where you’re trying to get something up fast, it can get frustrating.

Penmanship is lacking

Then let’s turn our attention to the note-taking experience, which I’d consider just about fine for my uses. If you’re just a casual jotter, what I’m about to talk about won’t be a massive issue. But if you want to use this more than casually, you’ll feel the pain points here.

The surface of the screen causes friction with this wider pen tip that, at best, can feel like you’re dragging the pen more than writing with it, and at worst, the sound is mildly like nails on a chalkboard.

And there’s a small bit of latency. Not game-breaking in and of itself, but paired with some ghosting of the lines you lay down, it can create a disconnect between your brain and the page, making writing things down a start-and-stop experience.

Boox Go 10.3 Gen II: Bottom line

And as I finally touched down at London Heathrow, I felt more enlightened after my time with the Boox Go 10.3 Gen II. I could’ve gone down a content wormhole that would’ve strained my attention span, or I could’ve read a book. Ultimately, I made a good decision for my mind with a damn good device.

Obviously, there are considerations based on how you will use this. If you want a better balance between a reader and a note-taking workhorse, the Kindle Scribe is definitely better on the notation side, with more responsive performance.

However, if you only need to jot things down casually and want a better, more open reading experience for uploading all your content, this is a well-built, long-lasting way to go.

The best Kindles have been my primary way to read books for the better part of a decade. Thanks to Amazon’s e-reader, I’ve read more books in the past seven years than in the nearly four decades prior. Not only is the device easy to hold and read on, but its integration with the Kindle app and store gives me more books than I could read in a single lifetime.

Though I adore my Kindles, I don’t read comic books on them. Even after the introduction of the Kindle Colorsoft, which finally let me read comics in color, I still can’t bring myself to read comics full-time on Amazon's hardware. Why? Because, as a lifelong comic book fan, I get a much better experience on the best iPads. Here’s why.

Display size

Digital comic apps like Marvel Unlimited and DC Universe Infinite offer a guided view mode that zooms in on individual panels and text. This can be immersive, especially for those new to the medium. While guided mode works as advertised, I prefer seeing an entire comic page rather than breaking it up piece by piece.

On the base Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite, you almost have to use guided mode because of their small screens. For comics, I prefer reading on the iPad Pro. The 13-inch model’s screen is slightly larger than a physical comic book page. Not only do single pages look fantastic, but double-page spreads look incredible when you rotate the tablet to landscape orientation.

Another problem with using guided view or pinch-to-zoom on Kindles is the device’s low refresh rate. This causes the e-reader to lag and flash to clear previous image artifacts (ghosting). While this has improved with the latest Kindle models, the refresh rate is still sluggish compared to iPads, which handle panning and zooming instantly and smoothly.

Returning to screen size, the Kindle Scribe features a roomier 10.2-inch display. While that’s still smaller than the 11-inch iPad Pro and iPad Air models, it’s a good size for reading full comic book pages. There’s a specific reason I don’t use the Scribe for traditional color comics (which I’ll cover next), but for black-and-white manga, it’s legitimately great. However, since I don’t read much manga, that point is mostly moot for me.

When it comes to reading single pages and double-page spreads of a traditional American comic book, the iPad is simply the way to go.

Colorsoft is still too muted

The Kindle Colorsoft and Kindle Scribe Colorsoft are arguably the best color e-readers out there right now. If you mainly read traditional novels, having full-color book covers, maps, and other design elements is a nice perk. Naturally, comics are in color on these devices, but there is one major drawback—the hues are decidedly muted.

In fairness, muted colors can sometimes be preferable. For instance, if you’re reading older comics printed before the late ‘90s, the e-reader screen delivers an experience closer to reading them on original newsprint, which is much duller than the glossy paper used today. If you’re a comic purist who doesn’t like how vibrant classic comics look on modern paper or on an iPad, you might actually prefer the Colorsoft's presentation.

With all that said, I want my comics, classic and modern, to look as bright and bold as possible, which is why I prefer the iPad's display. Again, the color Kindles do a decent job, but the presentation is far too washed out for my tastes.

Ecosystems and storage

iPads give you access to excellent dedicated comic reader apps like Panels and Chunky, along with major subscription platforms like Marvel Unlimited, DC Universe Infinite, and Shonen Jump. Conversely, Kindles mostly confine you to Amazon’s storefront, Comixology, and Kindle Unlimited. Sideloading your own files can also be a chore.

On that note, if you have a large library of digital comic files (.CBR, .CBZ, and high-res PDFs), you’re going to hit a storage cap much faster on a Kindle than on an iPad. Apple’s tablets offer storage tiers up to 1TB and can easily connect to cloud storage like Google Drive or iCloud to offload your libraries. Kindles top out at 64GB of storage on the Scribe and don’t natively support common comic book formats without converting the files first.

Bottom line

Don't get me wrong — Kindles still hold the crown for battery life and portability. Throwing a lightweight Paperwhite into a bag for a week-long trip without needing to pack a charger is fantastic, and it remains my go-to choice for novels.

But while Kindles are perfectly serviceable for most everyday reading, I get a much richer experience reading comics on the iPad. With a larger display for viewing full layouts, bolder colors, and seamless performance, I'll choose Apple's tablet for my graphic novels every single time.

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Apple will reportedly launch the first OLED iPad mini. That’s according to Bloomberg reporter and Apple tipster Mark Gurman, whose sources claim this updated iPad mini could arrive as early as this October. If true, this would be the biggest upgrade for the company’s smallest tablet. This has me both excited and worried.

The iPad mini was last updated in October 2024 with the iPad mini 7. Besides the A17 Pro chip, it retained the same design introduced in 2021.

This reported 8th-generation iPad mini model, currently code-named J510, would presumably have a faster chip along with the OLED panel. The report doesn’t specify if the tablet will receive other design upgrades, like thinner bezels.

Gurman’s report also discusses other upcoming iPad models. This includes an updated entry-level iPad, code-named J581, reportedly set for release early next year, according to Gurman’s sources. New iPad Air models, in both 11- and 13-inch variants, code-named J807 and J837, are allegedly dropping in Spring of 2027, along with new iPad Pro models around the same time.

Regarding the other iPads, Gurman doesn’t say whether or not the iPad Air line will get the same OLED upgrade as the iPad mini 8. If the iPad Air keeps the same Liquid Retina display, it would be the only iPad model without an OLED panel.

The iPad mini 7 currently starts at $599, which is $100 more than its original cost, thanks to Apple price hikes. Given the volatility of prices thanks to the ongoing RAM crisis, it’s difficult to say how much the iPad mini 8 could cost. However, the introduction of an OLED panel would naturally make this tablet more expensive.

Outlook

Though Mark Gurman has a stellar track record for Apple scoops, it’s best to take this report with a grain of salt, as Apple has yet to officially announce the new iPad mini or new iPads in general. We’ll keep our ears to the ground on this one, so stay tuned for more as we hear it.

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The Motorola MotoPad (2026) is a light, thin, and affordable tablet with powerful audio, a vibrant display, and all-day battery life. While its MediaTek Dimensity 6300 CPU isn’t winning any benchmarking awards, it is powerful enough to handle light research, web browsing and email management.

Unfortunately, Motorola also positioned the MotoPad as capable of casual gaming. Which only highlights its dismal graphics performance, as the Arm Mali G-57 integrated GPU struggles with any game more demanding than Candy Crush.

Despite the MotoPad’s grim graphics performance, it's a great tablet to use as a work or school sidecar in addition to a traditional laptop, and it’s fantastic as a streaming device for your next movie night. But is that enough to make it onto our best tablets list? Let’s take a closer look.

Motorola MotoPad: Cheat sheet

• What is it?: The Motorola MotoPad is an affordable tablet for every-day use.
• Who is it for?: Students and professionals who need a lightweight, portable tablet for work, class, or relaxation.
• What does it cost?: The Motorola MotoPad (2026) comes in one $249 configuration.
• What do we like?: The MotoPad has a lightweight, easily portable build, and sports a unique bronze green color aluminum chassis. It’s got powerful audio, all-day battery life, and it's affordable.
• What don’t we like?: The MotoPad is advertised as capable of casual gaming, but its graphics are underpowered for anything beyond puzzle games.

Motorola MotoPad: Specs

Motorola MotoPad: The ups

The MotoPad has plenty going for it, from its lightweight, stylish design to its robust audio system and crisp display, to its all-day battery life. Combined with its affordable price, the MotoPad is a fantastic bargain.

Lightweight, stylish design

The Motorola MotoPad (2026) comes in a striking Pantone Bronze Green aluminum chassis with modern detailing and a glass camera hub on the back panel that makes it feel like a more premium tablet.

The MotoPad is also incredibly lightweight at just 1.06 pounds with a thickness of 0.28 inches, making it a lightweight fashion statement that’s easy to slot into a bag or backpack to take to work or school, or even to fit into your carry-on for inflight entertainment on your next vacation.

The only real drawback in the MotoPad’s design is its lack of ports, as it features just one USB-C port and one 3.5mm Audio Jack. So you’ll need to use bluetooth accessories if you plan to charge the MotoPad while also connecting a keyboard or mouse to it. Then again, most people tend to use bluetooth accessories these days, so that’s not as much of a drawback as it would have been a few years ago.

The MotoPad also comes with a MicroSD card reader, so you can expand your device storage up to 2TB from the 128GB base storage option. Which is a nice addition for a budget tablet. But the real star of the MotoPad’s design is that unique Pantone Bronze Green colorway, which gives the MotoPad a sense of identity that most budget tablets lack.

Affordable pricing

The MotoPad has only one configuration, boasting a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 CPU with integrated Arm Mali G-57 graphics card, 8GB of RAM, a 128GB SSD, and an 11-inch, 90Hz, 2,560 x 1,600, LCD display. That configuration costs just $249, making it one of the more affordable Android tablets on the market.

It’s a whole $100 cheaper than our best budget tablet pick, the Apple iPad 11, and it's less than half the price of our favorite Android tablet, the OnePlus Pad 3. Of course, the MotoPad takes a significant performance hit over the OnePlus Pad, but the price differential is nothing to scoff at. In fact, only our favorite budget Android tablet, the Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) is cheaper at $139. And the Fire HD 10 has some serious drawbacks like middling performance and Amazon’s poor app selection holding it back.

Like most tablets, the MotoPad’s $249 price tag doesn’t include a case or the Moto Pen Ultra ($99). So if you want to protect your tablet and get the most use out of its touchscreen display, you’ll need to invest at least another $100. But even then, you’re still saving compared to the iPad 11 and OnePlus Pad 3.

Ideal audio and display for a video binge

While the MotoPad does have a 3.5mm audio jack, if you’re just relaxing at home you likely don’t want to use headphones or earbuds. And that’s where the robust quad-speaker system comes in.

The MotoPad has speakers on both the top and bottom sides of the tablet which gives you great sound balance when held in landscape mode, however the speakers are powerful enough you can use the tablet as a set of portable speakers in either orientation. In fact, I found the most comfortable listening range was at about 20-30 percent rather than the tablet’s full volume.

That powerful audio combined with the MotoPad’s crisp LCD display, make it an ideal streaming companion for a movie night or Netflix binge session.

While not the most impressive display we’ve ever tested, the MotoPad’s LCD display does cover 112% of the sRGB color space, which is more than enough vibrancy for most content. And at 430-nits of average brightness, the MotoPad can cut through most indoor glare. Unfortunately, the MotoPad isn’t equipped with HDR, so it’s not the best option to binge the Battle of Winterfell during the final season of Game of Thrones, but most other shows and movies will play just fine on the MotoPad.

All-day battery life

Battery life is as key for a tablet as it is for a laptop, though most tablets haven’t come close to the 24-hour battery life mark the way some recent laptops have. However, you still want at least 8 hours of web surfing battery life on a tablet if you plan to use it for school or for work. And the MotoPad exceeds that threshold handily.

On our web surfing battery test, the MotoPad (2026) lasted a solid 10 hours and 31 minutes on Wi-Fi, while its battery life dropped down to 10 hours and 1 minute while using LTE data. The Apple iPad 11 lasted 11 hours and 25 minutes on WiFi, and the OnePlus Pad 3 lasted 16 hours and 21 minutes using its adaptive refresh rate setting. The Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) lasted 12 hours and 39 minutes. While this does put the MotoPad at the bottom of the pack, it's still more than enough battery to last for an 8-hour work day or a full day of classes.

Motorola MotoPad: The downs

While the MotoPad’s general performance is nothing to write home about, the tablet’s graphics performance is the real let-down.

Middling performance

The MotoPad is on the below-average side of things in terms of performance. The MediaTek Dimensity 6300 is an 8-core, 6nm CPU so it’s not going to be as powerful as the iPad 11’s A16 processor or the OnePlus Pad 3’s Snapdragon 8 Elite. The iPad 11 gets nearly 3x the multicore performance of the MotoPad, while the OnePlus Pad 3 hits nearly 4x the performance on benchmarks like Geekbench 6 or Adobe Premiere Rush.

But the MotoPad does have enough computing power to handle web browsing, light research tasks, email management, and casual puzzle games. Which does make it a bit more powerful than the Amazon Fire HD 10, which can slow down when running more intensive tasks.

The MotoPad is just fine for your average day-to-day computing tasks, but it’s nothing special. And it’s not going to drastically speed up your work or school life.

Dismal graphics performance

Unfortunately for Motorola, gaming was part of the MotoPad’s marketing. The MotoPad’s integrated Arm Mali G-57 MC2 graphics card is great for puzzle games like Candy Crush or Block Blast which come pre-installed.Unfortunately, running any game more graphically intense than a puzzle game results in slowdowns, graphics stuttering, and unplayable frame-rates. This is particularly true with action titles like Genshin Impact or Fortnite. If I wasn’t intimately familiar with the controls of both games, I wouldn’t even be able to navigate the menus well enough to do any kind of combat, and even that was a struggle at under 30fps on the lowest possible graphics and resolution presets.

Granted, I wasn’t expecting much considering the MotoPad barely scraped past 7fps on the 3DMark Wild Life benchmark and was a 2fps slideshow on Wild Life Extreme. So if you want to do any kind of real gaming on the MotoPad, I would highly recommend downloading a game streaming app like Nvidia GeForce Now, because it’s the only way you’ll get decent performance.

Considering Motorola advertised the MotoPad for “casual gaming,” the grim graphics performance is more of a detriment than if gaming never even made it into the MotoPad’s marketing. While you could argue that Genshin and Fortnite are too intensive on mobile to be considered casual games, they are two of the most popular mobile titles on the market and are considered casual games by the gaming industry. Thus, calling the MotoPad’s casual performance abysmal feels earned.

Motorola MotoPad review: Verdict

The Motorola MotoPad (2026) is an ideal work or school companion, and it makes for a fantastic streaming experience thanks to its colorful display and powerful audio system. Its lightweight, bronze green chassis makes it easy to fit into a backpack or bag alongside your work or school laptop, but it also works as a standalone Android device if you just want to watch a few movies and maybe read a book while on vacation. That experience alone is worth praise, but at just $249, it’s an incredible bargain.

The only pitfall with the MotoPad is its underpowered GPU, but there are ways around that. Game streaming services like Nvidia GeForce Now are available on the Play Store, which will get you a much smoother gaming experience than the native GPU performance. Plus, tablets aren’t exactly a high-performance gaming device anyway.

If you thought Apple raising prices on Macs and iPads would be the end of it, you were sorely mistaken. The company has now raised AppleCare+ prices for various Macs and iPads, with prices rising by $0.50 cents a month, or $5 for those people on annual plans.

However, there is a caveat to this change. For starters, this will only affect new purchases, so those of you who are already paying for AppleCare+ won't suddenly be asked to pay more money. AppleCare One, which offers care for up to three devices, is similarly unaffected.

Bloomberg notes that the cost of covering a 13-inch MacBook Air has risen from $7.49 a month to $7.99 a month, while an annual plan is now $80 a year instead of the $75 you'd have paid last week. The price hikes are affecting all Mac, MacBook and iPad devices the same, but so far, all other Apple products seem to have escaped this particular form of inflation.

I wouldn't expect that to last long, though. As the cost of components goes up, so too will the cost of repairs. While there is no confirmation that AppleCare+ prices will go up for the likes of the iPhone or Apple Watch, odds are that it will happen in the near future. Especially if the iPhone 18 Pro prices increase this year, as they are widely expected to do.

In other words, if you have been putting off signing up for AppleCare+ and want to make sure your Apple devices are protected against damage, you might want to sign up as soon as possible. Although the damage is already done for Macs and iPads, so you folks have all the time in the world to mull over that decision.

Spreading out your iPad payments

AppleCare+ price hikes aren't the only financial changes happening at the App Store, either. Apple has just launched new 36-month carrier financing for cellular-capable iPads, which joins the existing 12-month interest-free financing option.

Like the 12-month finance option, this new 3-year payment plan is interest-free. However, it's provided by the carrier rather than Apple itself. However, you will need to sign up for a data plan, and so far, Apple is only offering this particular payment plan if you're connecting to AT&T or Verizon.

The carrier financing option is also available to existing customers "when connecting to a new line of service." You'll be taken through that process of setting up a new line before you check out, and obviously, this means you will be on the hook for monthly data payments. Though it doesn't make sense to buy a cellular iPad if you're not planning on getting a data plan too.

Considering how much the cost of some iPads has risen due to recent Apple price hikes, it makes sense for a longer interest-free payment plan to be available. For example, an 11-inch iPad Pro with cellular is now $1,399, which is $289 more than the original $1,110 price tag. It's a lot of money to spend on a tablet, but if you split the cost over three years, you end up paying just shy of $39 a month.

Of course, this means you are on the hook for paying that every single month for three years — regardless of how your life and circumstances might change. So there's a trade-off to those low monthly payments. But if you want an iPad Pro and plan on keeping it for the long term, it is a good way to avoid dropping several hundred dollars in one go.

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